SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Many want to count hedgehogs: "A beloved animal"

Many want to participate and count hedgehogs – since Monday, 17,000 Swedes have registered to share their observations.

» Updated: October 03 2024

» Published: August 15 2024

Many want to count hedgehogs: "A beloved animal"
Photo: Michael Probst/AP Photo/TT

I think it's because the hedgehog is a beloved animal, but also a missing animal in many parts of the country, says Jessica Ångström, animal and nature expert at WWF, who is responsible for the hedgehog count.

In contrast to many other wild animals, hedgehogs do not shy away from living close to humans and do not say no to being fed, for example, with cat food.

It's a bit like small birds that come to our bird feeders – the animals we can have a relationship with, they also create engagement.

Research is lacking

The hedgehog is declining. According to SLU Artdatabanken, the number of hedgehogs may have decreased by as much as 40 percent in twelve years, a figure that is based on relatively few observations. Since 2020, the species has been red-listed, which means it is "near threatened".

The hedgehog count, which runs until Sunday, is the first of its kind and part of a four-year project. Those who want to contribute can register with WWF.

We don't have much knowledge about hedgehogs, neither when it comes to statistics nor research. Using citizen science is a fantastic way to get a lot of statistics, but also to increase knowledge about what hedgehogs need, says Jessica Ångström.

Messy corners

Those who have their own garden can let it be a bit wild, if the hedgehog gets to choose.

Save some messy and cluttered corners with leaf and twig piles. It provides building material and places to seek shelter, but it also benefits a lot of decomposing insects, such as ground beetles, snails, and worms – all that which hedgehogs need.

Maybe the hedgehog will also eat the occasional murderer snail.

I think it can eat murderer snails, but it might not be its favorite food. If you feed hedgehogs with tasty cat food, they will probably choose the cat food over murderer snails, says Jessica Ångström.

Cecilia Klintö/TT

Facts: Unknown cause of decline

TTTT

The hedgehog is red-listed and has the status of being "near threatened". What lies behind the decline in recent years is unknown. Some hypotheses:

The landscape has changed so that environments that are beneficial for hedgehogs have become rare, for example, grasslands with dense shrubs, thickets, and deciduous trees.

Hedgehogs are affected by an unknown disease.

They are affected by environmental toxins and pesticides, such as rat poison.

Many hedgehogs also die in traffic.

Hedgehogs also have natural enemies in the form of badgers and golden eagles.

Source: SLU Artdatabanken and WWF

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The Government Ready to Borrow Billions for Reinforcement

The Government Ready to Borrow Billions for Reinforcement

More get caught in drug tests – one industry stands out

More get caught in drug tests – one industry stands out

Economists: Higher Tax a Must for Upgrading

Economists: Higher Tax a Must for Upgrading

Explosion south of Stockholm

Explosion south of Stockholm

Filter coffee healthier than automatic coffee

Filter coffee healthier than automatic coffee

Sentenced to Psychiatric Care - Suspected of New Assault

Sentenced to Psychiatric Care - Suspected of New Assault

Warnings of strong winds and snow in the mountains

Warnings of strong winds and snow in the mountains

Sida Pauses New Aid Projects

Sida Pauses New Aid Projects

No Crime Behind Body Find

No Crime Behind Body Find

Preliminary Investigation Against Landerholm Resumed

Preliminary Investigation Against Landerholm Resumed

Foreign Ministry confirms: Six Swedes out of Gaza

Foreign Ministry confirms: Six Swedes out of Gaza

Expensive and complicated with a reduced wolf population

Expensive and complicated with a reduced wolf population

Contact with gangs can be criminalized

Contact with gangs can be criminalized

Child accused of assault – social services investigated

Child accused of assault – social services investigated

The Defense after Trump's Play: USA an Important Partner

The Defense after Trump's Play: USA an Important Partner

The Wait for When the New C-Leader Will Be Elected

The Wait for When the New C-Leader Will Be Elected

Kristersson: The Government Has Not Covered Anything Up

Kristersson: The Government Has Not Covered Anything Up

Court of Appeal changes verdict - man sentenced for partner's death

Court of Appeal changes verdict - man sentenced for partner's death

The Moderate Party wants to increase compensation for conscripts

The Moderate Party wants to increase compensation for conscripts

Kristersson in new meeting on Ukraine support

Kristersson in new meeting on Ukraine support

Traces of concussion remain after a year

Traces of concussion remain after a year

Swine flu is raging - hitting young people hard

Swine flu is raging - hitting young people hard

Two Requested to be Detained for Economic Crimes

Two Requested to be Detained for Economic Crimes

Escaped from detention center with stolen vehicle

Escaped from detention center with stolen vehicle

Moderate Women: Women Should be Able to Choose Cesarean Sections

Moderate Women: Women Should be Able to Choose Cesarean Sections

Swedes drink less

Swedes drink less

Swedes do not trust AI or social media

Swedes do not trust AI or social media

Powerful Explosion in Gothenburg – Two Detained

Powerful Explosion in Gothenburg – Two Detained

One Seriously Injured in Crash with Truck

One Seriously Injured in Crash with Truck

Elderly man dies in solo accident

Elderly man dies in solo accident

Landerholm received help with misleading posts

Landerholm received help with misleading posts

Young woman lied about rape – prosecuted

Young woman lied about rape – prosecuted

Police Published Pictures from Inside a Protected Facility

Police Published Pictures from Inside a Protected Facility

Security Service: The Cleaner Received Money from Extremist

Security Service: The Cleaner Received Money from Extremist

The Constitutional Committee Tables Investigation into the Landerholm Affair

The Constitutional Committee Tables Investigation into the Landerholm Affair

Prison sentence after accident where three young people died

Prison sentence after accident where three young people died

Man found dead in fire in Trollhättan – murder investigation underway

Man found dead in fire in Trollhättan – murder investigation underway

Annika Strandhäll switches committee

Annika Strandhäll switches committee

Sweden buys new Archer artillery pieces for Ukraine

Sweden buys new Archer artillery pieces for Ukraine

Now schools will be completely mobile-free

Now schools will be completely mobile-free