At Devon Duvets, we’ve been committed to sustainability ever since we started making wool bedding, nearly two decades ago.
We’ve previously written about how we find ways to reuse our scrap wool. That includes composting (our chemical-free wool makes excellent compost!) and putting some in trees and bushes in the spring for birds to use in their nests.
However, more recently, we’ve also been supplying scrap wool to Prickles and Paws, a hedgehog rescue sanctuary based just down the road from us, in neighbouring Cornwall. Run by an amazing team of volunteers, the sanctuary rescues over 1300 hedgehogs each year, relying totally on community support.
How are our wool scraps used to help injured or abandoned hedgehogs?
Each rescued hedgehog is given a soft pad, stuffed with our scrap wool, to sleep on. As wool is temperature regulating and moisture wicking it is both warmer and more hygienic for adult hedgehogs or small hoglets, whilst they are recovering. Not only that, because the wool has come from flocks of British sheep, whose fleece is shorn every year, it seems appropriate that some of our wool scraps are used to help other animals who may benefit from its cosiness. A sustainable purpose for a truly sustainable fibre.
Hedgehogs are shy, gentle creatures that can be found across the UK, but they do face several threats that we can help to counter. In recent years there has also been an increase in injured hedgehogs and so Prickles and Paws are now building a brand new ‘Hogspital’ to expand their facilities and help provide more care and treatment for hedgehogs. Find out more...
We’ve also put together some hog ‘facts’ about hedgehogs – one of our most endearing wild mammals:
Hedgehog statistics
Adult hedgehogs are generally 20c – 25cm long and typically weigh up to 1.2kg. Their spines are modified hairs - and these are absent from the face, chest, belly, throat and legs which are, instead, covered in coarse grey-brown fur. There are approximately 5,000 – 7,000 spines on an average adult hedgehog and they even have a small tail. Hedgehogs roll up into a prickly ball if they feel threatened.
Hedgehogs are widespread and sociable
In the UK, hedgehogs live in a variety of habitats including woodland, farmland, parks and gardens. They can also survive in more urban habitats, such as cemeteries and on railway land, as long as there is food, shelter and other hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs are ‘night owls’
Hedgehogs spend much of their life asleep, hibernating through the winter months in a nest made from leaves in a sheltered spot – and dozing during the day for the rest of the year. Their eyesight is poor, but they have excellent hearing and a well-developed sense of smell.
Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant
Putting out milk for hedgehogs can make them very ill, so if you want to feed your local neighbourhood hedgehog, then use wet cat food or hedgehog food. You can find the latter in most garden centres.
Hedgehogs are carnivores
There is nothing a hedgehog likes more than a juicy worm or slug. They are also partial to earwigs, millipedes, beetles, and other small insects. They will also sometimes eat small frogs and snakes and can top up their diet with fruit.
Hedgehogs are nimble
Hedgehogs are good runners (with a top speed, in short bursts, of around 5mph) and climbers. They can even swim if they need to.
Hedgehogs are in decline
It is very sad to see less and less of our prickly friends, with evidence showing that numbers could be down by over half in rural areas. Many hedgehogs are killed or injured unintentionally, by traffic, lawnmowers, strimmers and garden chemicals. If moving bundles of leaves in winter, or creating a bonfire, always check to ensure there are no hedgehogs hiding inside.
What do I do if I find an injured hedgehog?
Contact your local hedgehog sanctuary or vet as soon as possible. With regards to baby hedgehogs (hoglets), the usual signs that they have been abandoned is if you see them out in the open during the day, or they are making a high-pitched peeping noise, or seem injured or underweight. Monitor from a distance to start with, to ensure the mother isn’t nearby as she will leave her babies briefly to forage nearby. If a hedgehog’s nest is disturbed, she may abandon her babies – again check after a couple of hours to make sure, then get in touch with your local hedgehog rescue or vet. Whilst transferring them, put into a high sided box, with a towel. Hedgehogs need specialist care, so it isn’t advisable to try and take care of injured or abandoned hedgehogs yourself.
Luxurious 100% British wool duvets for cosy winter nights
To find out more about how our individually handcrafted, British wool duvets, toppers and pillows can help you sleep as cosily as a hedgehog, visit our website or get in touch with the team.
Ref: Prickles and Paws; World Wildlife Fund