Hedgehogs

Hatfield Rotary Club had an unusual visitor recently when Quills the hedgehog came to lunch.

Quills, a Reverse Pinto Pygmy Hedgehog, from Africa
Quills, a Reverse Pinto Pygmy Hedgehog, from Africa

Although Quills is a pet and an African species (a Reverse Pinto Pygmy Hedgehog) he was promoting the cause of our native British Hedgehogs, that much loved creature, who has recently joined the list of endangered species.  Hedgehogs are rapidly disappearing and are now a protected species, when did you last see one?.  If you see a Hedgehog in your garden then you are very fortunate as they do a lot of good eating lots of garden pests.   Woodlice are a favourite food and a simple woodpile can provide a lot of food for our Hedgehog friends.

Did you know that hedgehogs have about 5000 spines?  Each spine lasts about a year then drops out and a replacement grows. Wild hedgehogs can travel between one to two miles each night foraging for food so it is VERY important that we leave small gaps at the bottom of our fences to let them pass from garden to garden.

Quills, our visitor, does a lot of promoting for the London Colney Hedgehog sanctuary which provides a home for some of the most needy hedgehogs.  If you wish to help then Hatfield Rotary Club will happily pass on any donations or communications. Just contact us on hedgehogs@rotaryhatfield.uk

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Early 2017 Club Archive

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