Hedgehogs are a common sight in many gardens across Britain and other parts of Europe. With their cute faces and curious nature, they're often welcome visitors for gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts alike. However, those who have these creatures visiting their yards might wonder about their ability to explore and traverse obstacles such as wooden fences. In this blog post, we’ll uncover the surprising abilities of hedgehogs when it comes to climbing and navigating gardens.

The Climbing Capabilities of Hedgehogs

First and foremost, it's essential to understand that hedgehogs are primarily ground-dwelling animals. They forage for food on the ground, and their short legs and round bodies aren't designed for climbing like a cat or squirrel. However, don’t be fooled by their pudgy appearance; hedgehogs are capable of more than they first seem when it comes to overcoming physical barriers.

While hedgehogs may not be the most proficient climbers out there, they can indeed climb obstacles, including wooden fences, under the right circumstances. Their strong, curved claws can grip onto textures such as wood, allowing them to pull themselves up. However, the height of the fence and its surface texture significantly impact their success. Rough-surfaced wooden fences might provide enough grip for these little climbers, but smooth surfaces pose a greater challenge.

Why Would a Hedgehog Climb a Fence?

Hedgehogs roam in search of food, partners, or nesting sites. Gardens can provide rich feeding grounds for them, and their natural curiosity could lead them to explore beyond a single garden area. Climbing over a fence might be necessary for a hedgehog's night-time wanderings if it encounters barriers in its path. Furthermore, hedgehog populations are under threat due to habitat loss, and urban environments present them with obstacles such as fences and walls that they must navigate to survive.

Ensuring Safety for Garden Hedgehogs

If you're a gardener or homeowner looking to make your outdoor space more hedgehog-friendly, considering their traversing abilities is important. Here are a few tips to ensure hedgehogs can safely enter and exit your garden:

  • Create Hedgehog Highways: One of the most effective ways to help hedgehogs is by ensuring there are gaps in your fences or walls. A 13cm x 13cm gap is large enough for a hedgehog to pass through but small enough to keep most pets in.
  • Offer Climbing Aids: If creating a gap isn’t possible, consider providing a safe climbing aid near fences to help hedgehogs get over them. This could be in the form of a shallow ramp or steps that lead up to and over the fence.
  • Check for Hazards: Ensure there aren’t hazardous obstacles on either side of the fence that could harm a hedgehog trying to climb or pass through, such as netting, sharp objects, or deep ponds they could fall into.
  • Keep Gardens Wild: Allowing portions of your garden to grow a bit wild provides a natural habitat for hedgehogs, offering them shelter, food, and nesting materials without the need to wander far.

In conclusion, while hedgehogs are not natural climbers, they possess the ability to climb wooden fences if necessary. Gardeners can play a crucial role in ensuring these adorable creatures can safely move around in search of food and shelter. By making small changes to our gardens, we can help protect and support hedgehog populations, ensuring they remain a charming and beneficial part of our natural world.