David Element's Wildlife Web Page Mammals 15

David Element

Wildlife Photography

and Digital Video Images

___________________ Mammals 15 - Hedgehogs 1

HEDGEHOG Erinaceus europaeus (f)

A series of portraits of one of the most charming and useful of British mammals – although the last two photographs were taken during a visit to the South of France. This formerly common species is sadly becoming more endangered in many areas of the UK and this is a matter of serious concern. This population crash has occurred partly as a consequence of exposure to toxic chemicals used for slug control. However, there has also been a loss of suitable garden habitat due to the ever-increasing pressures for the use of unoccupied land to build yet more houses. The situation is exacerbated by an apparent reluctance of homeowners to allow access under garden fences or to leave semi-wild areas. Climate may also have a part to play as the favoured prey items like slugs and snails are harder to locate during sustained periods of hot, dry weather. However, the French Hedgehog seemed to be coping extremely well with a hot and very arid Mediterranean climate.