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Garden Habitats

Hedgehog Houses: A Safe Haven for Your Prickly Garden Pals

by Gregory June 17, 2024

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Hedgehog Houses: A Haven for Spiky Garden Friends

What is a Hedgehog House?

A hedgehog house is a safe and cozy shelter for hedgehogs, providing them with a place to sleep, nest, and hibernate. It’s like a little home for these prickly creatures!

Why Hedgehogs Need Houses

Hedgehogs are facing threats like habitat loss and pesticides, making it hard for them to find safe places to live. A hedgehog house can provide them with the protection they need.

Choosing the Right Hedgehog House

There are many different types of hedgehog houses available, so it’s important to choose one that’s right for your garden and the hedgehogs in your area. Here are some things to consider:

Size: Make sure the house is big enough for a hedgehog to build a nest and hibernate comfortably.
Materials: Solid wood or Eco-Plate houses are more durable and last longer than brushwood options.
Protection from Predators: Look for houses with narrow entrances to keep out foxes and badgers.
Removable Roof: This makes it easy to clean the house and check on hedgehogs if needed.

Encouraging Hedgehogs to Use Your House

To make your hedgehog house irresistible, follow these tips:

Create a Hedgehog-Friendly Garden: Leave a corner of your garden wild with plenty of vegetation, insects, and water.
Provide Nesting Materials: Place dry leaves, straw, or hay inside the house to help hedgehogs build a cozy nest.
Avoid Food: Hedgehogs don’t like to eat and sleep in the same place, and food can attract predators. Instead, set up a separate feeding station.

When to Put Out a Hedgehog House

The best time to put out a hedgehog house is in April or October, before and after their hibernation season. If there’s an unusually cold winter, wait for warmer temperatures before placing a new house.

Benefits of Hedgehog Houses

Hedgehog houses provide many benefits for these amazing creatures, including:

Shelter and protection from predators
A safe place to hibernate during cold months
A cozy nest for raising young
A place to rest and sleep during the day

Conclusion

By providing a hedgehog house in your garden, you’re helping to support the conservation of these important animals. Remember to choose the right house, encourage hedgehogs to use it, and enjoy the presence of these fascinating creatures in your backyard!

Wildlife Gardening

Common Lizards in Your Garden: How to Attract and Support Them

by Donna April 30, 2024

written by Donna 2 minutes read

Common Lizards in Your Garden

What are Common Lizards?

Common lizards are small reptiles that love to bask in the sun on walls and logs. They can be found in forests, grasslands, and even gardens. They’re usually green-brown with spots or stripes and can grow up to 6 inches long. Male lizards have bright yellow or orange undersides, while females have plain and paler bellies.

Unique Features of Common Lizards

Unlike most lizards, female common lizards give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. They can have up to 11 babies at a time! They also have a special ability to change color to match their surroundings.

Creating a Lizard-Friendly Garden

If you want to attract lizards to your garden, you can create the perfect habitat for them by:

Letting areas of grass grow long for shelter
Building a log pile or placing stones for hiding spots
Planting native plants like primroses and forget-me-nots to provide food

Importance of Common Lizards

Common lizards play an important role in the ecosystem by eating insects. They’re also a food source for other animals like birds and snakes. By supporting common lizards in your garden, you’re helping to create a healthy and balanced environment.

Fun Fact:

Common lizards are cold-blooded, which means they need to warm up in the sun before they can hunt for food.

Gardening for Wildlife

Build a Hedgehog House: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Cozy Winter Shelter

by Donna February 21, 2023

written by Donna 2 minutes read

How to Build a Hedgehog House: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Hedgehogs are fascinating creatures that need our help to survive. One way to support them is by providing them with a safe and warm home, especially during the winter months. Building a hedgehog house is a fun and rewarding project that can make a big difference in a hedgehog’s life.

Materials You’ll Need:

Wooden wine crate
Untreated timber (6 inches x 1 inch, 4 feet long)
Galvanized nails (1 inch)
Hosepipe (3 feet long)
Jigsaw
Hammer
Drill
1-inch wood drill bit
Dry leaves, hay, or straw

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Make the Tunnel

Cut the timber into four 12-inch lengths and nail them together lengthwise. This will form the tunnel for the hedgehog house.

2. Create the Entrance

Use a jigsaw to cut an entrance hole (4 inches x 6 inches) into one side of the crate at the bottom.

3. Attach the Tunnel

Attach the tunnel to the crate by nailing it from the inside.

4. Add Ventilation

Drill a hole in the back of the crate and insert the hosepipe for ventilation.

5. Fill and Hide the House

Fill the crate with dry leaves, hay, or straw to keep the hedgehog warm. Hide the house in a quiet, secluded spot in your garden, under logs or leaves.

Tips:

Make sure the entrance and ventilation hole are not blocked.
Don’t use treated wood, as it can be harmful to hedgehogs.
If you see a hedgehog outside during the winter, it may be underweight and need help. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator for advice.

Conclusion

Building a hedgehog house is a great way to give these amazing animals a helping hand. By providing them with a safe and warm shelter, you can help them survive and thrive in your garden.