Give a hedgehog a home. How to build a cozy winter shelter for your garden's best friend

Treat a hedgehog visiting your garden as a friend. They consume a number of pests, including snails and caterpillars. A hedgehog's daily dietary intake ranges between 2.5 to 5.3 ounces, increasing during fall as it stores food for the winter.

If you'd like to support your small friend before it starts its five-month hibernation, build a shelter in your garden where it can take refuge from the cold. Bear in mind that there's not much time, as these tiny mammals typically start their winter hibernation in November.

While there are pre-made houses available for purchase, you can easily build a winter shelter for a hedgehog yourself. Most of the materials required should be readily available in your garden. The best insulation against the cold is, indeed, a pile of dry leaves. Simply rake them together into one spot. For good insulation, it's recommended to put some soft bedding on the bottom of the pile. Straw or moss would work well. To keep the leaves from being blown away, secure them with some branches on top. Additionally, consider covering the entire structure with a waterproof material like plastic for added protection.

While the hedgehog won't mind, you might want the house to serve as a decorative element in your garden. In that case, you could buy a ready-built shelter. However, keep in mind that aesthetics should not trump practicality. The house must be watertight, so avoid wicker and particle board designs. Choose natural, untreated, and unlacquered wood. This type of material will provide the hedgehog with adequate protection against the cold and inclement weather.

Regardless of the type of hedgehog house you opt for, it's crucial to position it appropriately. This isn't a decision to make lightly. An improper choice of location may discourage the hedgehog from using the shelter you've prepared. Opt for a "wild" spot, surrounded by trees and bushes, away from the front of your house, and where pets don't frequently visit. Ensure the house isn't located in a dip or on soggy ground that collects water after it rains. Instead, the ideal location is on a small elevation.