Warning: this summer reflex puts our precious hedgehogs in danger.

These adorable companions of summer nights, so discreet and beneficial to our gardens, could suffer from our good intentions. When the thermometer soars, a seemingly harmless action can prove fatal for these small, spiny mammals. Discover how to protect them during the heatwave.

Heatwave: how to protect hedgehogs suffering from the heat

Contrary to popular belief, these adorable little balls of prickles are extremely vulnerable during heat waves. Animal shelters recorded a worrying increase in reports during the summer of 2024, with nearly a 50% rise in cases of hedgehogs in distress, particularly the youngest or weakest.

Their Achilles' heel? Increased sensitivity to high temperatures and dehydration. When the thermometer soars, they leave their natural shelters to seek refuge near houses… and especially near the water sources we can provide.

A simple bowl of water can become a deadly trap

While offering water to garden animals may seem like a kind gesture, some poorly designed setups can turn this gesture into a danger. Statistics reveal that in a third of cases where hedgehogs are found dead, the cause is a simple water container… unsuitable for their size .

Steep edges, a slippery surface, or the absence of a foothold can be fatal for the animal. Once fallen, with no way to free itself, it struggles in vain before succumbing to exhaustion. This tragedy can unfold just steps from your patio .

Tips for creating a safe water point

A few simple precautions will make your action truly life-saving:

• Opt for a wide and shallow container , placed directly on the ground, with textured edges for better grip.
• Always place a flat stone or a small ramp that will serve as an emergency ladder in case of a fall.
• Position the watering trough in a shady spot , away from foot traffic and prying eyes.
• Change the water daily to prevent insect infestations and maintain healthy water.

Bonus: Transform your outdoor space into a haven for biodiversity

Hedgehogs love slightly wild gardens. Here's how to best welcome them:

• Maintain a natural area without intervention (no mowing, no watering).
• Create hiding places using piles of plants or branches.
• Ban pesticides and avoid insurmountable obstacles.
• Create passageways between properties to allow them to move freely.

Protecting the hedgehog means preserving an entire ecosystem.

Saving these small mammals is much more than a compassionate act. It's contributing to the natural balance of our immediate environment: healthy soils, insect populations, and the preservation of flora. It's also about rediscovering that precious connection with the nature that surrounds us, that soothing bond that gives so much value to our green spaces.

What if this year, we turned our gardens into sanctuaries for these precious allies of biodiversity ?