Welcome to Spike's World, home of Spike's Dinner Hedgehog Food and the Wildthings range of wildlife foods including Badger & Fox food, Hedgehog food, Squirrel mix and Swan & Duck food; these and a range of other goodies are available online through Spike's Store.  Our foods are also widely available from good pet shops and many garden centres.

Information on many garden visitors, and how you can help them, can be found on the Garden Wildlife pages; we hope you find this both interesting and helpful!

PLEASE NOTE - Unfortunately, due to increases in the costs of raw materials, we have had to increase some prices.

Hedgehog 'teens' in need of help!

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society urges members of the public to be on the look out for small hedgehogs that might be visiting their gardens.  These 'teenage' hedgehogs, known as 'autumn juveniles' are big enough to be away from their mothers but too small to survive hibernation.
 They are from litters that have been born late in the season.

If these autumn juveniles do not put on enough weight before the cold weather starts, they will probably die.  They need to weigh at the very least 450gms (1lb), preferably 600gms (22oz), in order to have sufficient fat reserves to sleep through the winter.  Putting out a specialised hedgehog food, such as Spike's Dinner or Wildthings Hedgehog food, or meat-based dog or cat food can be a lifesaver.  Water can also be provided but NOT milk as this can cause stomach upsets.

Hedgehogs are not normally seen out in the day and, if they are seen, it could mean they are desperate for food or very poorly.  If you see one out in the day foraging. do put out a dish of food, however, if it is walking as though it is drunk and wobbly or is 'sunbathing', the chances are it is hypothermic and needs help quickly.

These poorly hedgehogs should be brought indoors (use an old towel to pick it up) and placed in a high-sided cardboard box on a well-wrapped hot water bottle.  Keep the towel over the hedgehog to keep the heat in.  The hot water bottle needs to be kept warm as if allowed to go cold it will draw heat away from the hedgehog.  Offer food and water, and contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890 801 or see www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk for your local hedgehog carer.

BHPS produce free information leaflets including one called 'Autumn Juveniles'; for leaflets, or a copy of the Hogalogue, a catalogue packed with hedgehoggy gifts and Christmas cards, please send an A5 sae to BHPS, AUTUMN JUVENILES, Hedgehog House, Dhustone, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 3PL or see our website, www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk
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