A hedgehog or multiple hedgehogs may visit your garden without you ever seeing or hearing them, however they may leave behind a little gift that will notify you of their presence, 'scat' or poop...
Hedgehog Scat: A Delight for Nature Detectives
Finding scat in the garden might not conjure the most pleasant of thoughts, but being able to identify a species just from what they leave behind is quite the skill! We can learn a lot about an animal from their scat. Colour, consistency and what is in it can signal the health of an animal and also what they've been eating. Here’s what you need to know about hedgehog scat to identify it:
Size and Shape
Hedgehog scat is surprisingly distinctive. It’s usually about 2.5 to 5 cm long and often shaped like a cylinder with a tapered end. It won't be smooth like rodent droppings. If it looks a bit like a shiny, blackish sausage you’ve just found hedgehog scat and have had a hedgehog in your garden!
Colour and Consistency
Hedgehogs are mainly insectivorous and their scat reflects their diet. Their scat is typically dark brown or black, and the texture is relatively firm, but it can have a glossy, slimy sheen. You may notice bits of insect exoskeletons or beetle wings in the scat.
What to avoid? If you find scat that is particularly loose or watery, it could indicate the hedgehog is unwell. Contact a local wildlife rescue for advice or visit our Hedgehog Advice page for further information on hedgehog rescue.
Where to Spot It
Hedgehogs do not tend to have designated toileting spots, but you’re most likely to find their scat near hedges, borders, or on their well-trodden routes between gardens. Check along fences, garden paths, or near food and water sources you may have left out.
