As the weather in London gets hotter, there are plenty of heat-related topics attention turns to.
But less talked about is how creatures like hedgehogs cope with the rising temperature.
Kelly Parsons, founder of Merton Hedgehog Rescue & Rehabilitation, explained there are several steps people can take to help the animals in warmer weather.
She said: “The best way to help hedgehogs in this weather is to leave out some cold, shallow water throughout the day for all wildlife.
“When there are no puddles of water in the leaves for them, to drink from a shallow dish of water is the best thing that you can do for hedgehogs at the moment”.
People should also look out for signs that a hedgehog needs help from a person, which mainly comes in the form of them being spotted in the day time.
Parsons said: “A hedgehog being seen during the day is not a good sign, they shouldn’t be seen during the day at all.
“They don’t sunbathe, some people think ‘look at that nice little hedgehog, it’s sunbathing in the sun’.
“They don’t bask in the sun like normal animals, so there is probably something seriously wrong.
“I don’t know how they’ve learned this, but they’ve learned to come out during the day to get some attention from humans and get help”.
The last thing to look out for is Hedgehogs with parasites, as they can end up with more then ten ticks on them which look like little white circles.
The effects of this may cause hedgehogs to go round in circles, staggering like they are drunk, which are neurological signs something is wrong.
Parsons said: “The best way for people to find their local rescue is a website called Help Wildlife, you put in your postcode and it comes up with a drop down menu where you can tick hedgehogs and it will flag up local rescues”.
There is also The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, who people call to get help finding a local rescue, like Merton Hedgehog Rescue & rehabilitation.
When Parsons receives a hedgehog, she first assesses them and then takes them to the vet for treatment, which usually then requires bringing them home to monitor.
She said: “It is expensive, but I do a lot of fundraising and I’ve got some good supporters behind my back”.
Parsons started the charity during the Covid-19 pandemic, where she found a hedgehod called Sonic, and then looked for a rescue centre which ended up being quite a way away.
After this she became more involved, completing some training and eventually setting up the charity.
She said: “Hedgehogs have just come into my life at the right time and saved me – and I’m now I’m saving them.
“I’ve got a large community of supporters and volunteers who back me and support me, and I do a lot of fundraising, and I am very grateful to them”.
For more information about the charity and how to help, visit the Merton Hedgehog Rescue website.
All images: Merton Hedgehog Rescue
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