The Hedgehog Handbook

by Sally Coulthard

Hedgehogs, with their quiet determination and bristling, bumbling ways, are seen by many of one of life's most enduring symbols of the countryside and town gardens. This shy, snuffling, enigmatic animal has captured the imagination of children and adults for centuries—from Beatrix Potter's Mrs Tiggywinkle to Sonic the Hedgehog.

Full to the brim with fascinating insights and countryside lore, The Hedgehog Handbook explores different facets of this much-admired mammal—from its wildlife habits to its literary heritage, how different cultures have viewed the hedgehog, and what we can do to help preserve this icon of rural life.

Fun, sweet, and warm hearted, The Hedgehog Handbook is a month-by-month celebration of one of the countryside's best-loved creatures. Packed with inspirational quotes, entertaining facts, folklore, and literary references, it's the perfect gift for anyone with a penchant for prickles.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Natural History

144 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2019

About the author

After studying Archaeology & Anthropology at Oxford University, best-selling author and designer Sally Coulthard has spent the last twenty years designing, making and writing about homes, craft and outdoor spaces. She sees no boundary between the rules that govern good interior design and those which are needed to craft a spectacular studio or glorious garden.

Keen to make good design accessible, she’s written over twenty books about restoring houses, designing interiors and outdoor living. From garden styles to craftsmanship, creating workspaces to building sheds, Sally’s books inspire, encourage and equip readers to take on projects of their own.

Sally is a passionate advocate of rural living and regularly writes about nature and her experiences of smallholding deep in North Yorkshire countryside, including her ‘Good Life in Country’ column for Country Living magazine.

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely little book that followed the hedgehogs life month by month. Full of interesting facts about the animals, their habits, their habitats, their breeding patterns and hibernation, as well as tips of what to do if you find one, how to tell if it needs to be left alone, or taken for medical attention, how to make your garden and property more hedgehog friendly, what to feed them and more. The hedgehogs we have in New Zealand are the same as the British ones, although ours either don't hibernate, or do so for a shorter period of time, depending on where in the country they are. I learned a lot from this book, and I am ever setting up a home in England, I will refer back for tips on hedgehog houses.
It also has some beautiful illustrations!🦔

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of all the wild mammals that we have in the UK the most commonly seen one now is the fox, but go back a few years and most people would have come across the spiny-backed hedgehog snuffling around in the bushes at night in their gardens. When we first moved down to Dorset we had one in our garden too, but haven’t seen it for years now. Turns out these charming little creatures have had a catastrophic slump in numbers and are seriously threatened. This is where this little book comes in.

Coulthard explains just how this prickly mammal has had a long cultural influence, and the lore that has risen around it. But more than that it is crammed full of practical advice on how to care for these creatures should you have one around the garden, what food to put out and the sort of habitats that make the difference between survival and eradication. The book takes us through the year from when a hedgehog emerges from hibernation in March and is full of practical advice. There are lots of charming illustrations by Vanessa Lubach and Sylvie Rabbe liberally scattered throughout too. Really nicely produced book.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

mooi boekje met een hoop makkelijk verteerbare en praktische informatie

de korte beschrijvingen aan het begin van elk hoofdstuk deden me persoonlijk niet veel maar ik waardeer wel de keuze om het allemaal ingedeeld over de maanden van het jaar te vertellen

iedereen ga egeltjes helpen

[HannaMikulska · Rating 5 out of 5]

prickly! (i loved it mostly because it is such a gift to be known for being a hedgehog enthusiast)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brilliant little book devoted entirely to the hedgehog. I’m in the process of designing and creating a nature garden but I’m delighted to say that hedgehogs are already a common visitor in my garden (as my dog tells me every night… woof woof woof at the hedgehog curled into a ball, as if it’s going to uncurl for him). I’m not so delighted to say that, though I love wildlife, I knew very little real or helpful information about the hedgehog. I’m glad that, having read this book, I now know so much about these little ‘hedge pigs’.

Of course the books intimate knowledge of the hedgehog and practical tips for how we can help hedgehogs are vital (from food to rescue situations to building your own hedgehog house). I was surprised to discover than in the 1950s there were around thirty million hedgehogs in the UK but now “the best guess is that we are down to less than a million.” Wow. And, that we (humans) are the main danger for hedgehogs (for lots of reasons but especially the development of land and our use of pesticides).

However, my favourite elements were the nature writing snippets at the beginning of each chapter. As each chapter is devoted to a month of the year, the few italic opening paragraphs of each chapter set the scene for the season - not just in terms of the hedgehog but other animals, insects, trees, plants and flowers. They add a magical layer to the book. They transport us to that season. What better way to make humans see (if we are to change our ways)?

It will be nice to pick up the book again in future and open it at the present month and see what I can do to help hedgehogs.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely little read that follows hedgehogs month by month through an entire year from when they first start waking up in March. Each month gives a insight into hedgehog behaviour and activities, where and why we might see them, and how we can identify if they need help and what to do when they do. It also includes little hints and tips or how to make gardens more hog friendly and how to contribute to bigger changes and benefits for the species. It also has plenty of little tidbits about hedgys including their role and influence in literature and culture and some delightful illustrations to top it all off.

[Uudenkuun Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely charming little book about hedgehogs and how to take care of them. The illustrations really pull this together, but Sally Coulthard's writing is also excellent. I wish I had a garden so I could make it a better environment for hedgies!

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and charming

[Tiina Kujala · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[River · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, succinct and informative. I abso-fucking-lutely adore hedgehogs, they are my favourite wild animal and so I'll gladly consume any media featuring them. This book is definitely more of a handbook of how to and how not to help hedgehogs rather than an educational tome, but it's pretty good nonetheless. The illustrations are pretty and the information is good, I just wish there was a little bit more meat to it.

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book piked my curiosity, so after my fiancée surprised me by buying it I was quick to give it a read. It's a beautifully written book with charming illustrations about hedgehogs in every season - from the hopeful beginnings of spring to the harsh cold winter. Sally Coulthard is clearly someone who cares about hedgehogs, and she makes the reader care as much as she does. With extensive information about how hedgehogs are unfortunately disappearing from the countryside, she gives the reader advice and resources to help this dwindling species. I'm pretty invested in helping these little guys now, so I'll be following her advice and volunteering for them.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've had a shit day and want to drunk-read a charming, short book with enchanting illustrations, this is an excellent choice. If, unlike me, you live somewhere reasonably near wild hedgehogs, it's super informative about how to help local hedgehog populations. But the drunk-reading thing works well too.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book that provides lots of helpful advice on how to set up a garden that is beneficial to hedgehogs as well as guidance on what to do when you find a hedgehog in an unexpected or difficult situation.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short handbook covering all you need to know about the hedgehog and how to assist in their precarious urban environment.
It all began when I was out one night with my astronomical telescope and two hogs scurried around my feet. My other half then began feeding the creatures and then purchased a hedgehog house. We had prickly lodgers over a winter hibernation, that have since moved on.
It was the wife's project and it was her that acquired this book. First published in 2018, it covers twelve months of the life cycle, documenting habitat, diet, mating, birth of hoglets, diseases and parasites, ecology, hibernation and a directory of helpful resources.
We still have the cosy residence and continue to leave food and water out.

[JoJo Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, a quick disclaimer - I am obsessed with hedgehogs, hence hubs chose this book for me for my Jolabokaflod gift.

This is a wonderful little book, outlining the hedgehogs' life on a month by month basis. It has many small nuggets of hog info and gives many ideas on how to make your garden hog friendly, such as feeding stations, hog houses and hog highways.

Whether you're already a hedgehog fanatic (like me) or whether you'd just lije to learn more about them, then this is an ideal book.

I will be dipping back into this one next year when hibernation is over 🦔🦔

[Khanh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't live in an area where hedgehogs are abundant. But I know several people over the years who do, and maybe it's just my experience, but it feels like these charming little guys are not given enough attention. I loved this little book and had no idea that hedgehogs are so threatened as a species. I love the format, and how the author took the reader through a year in the hedgehog's life.
Thanks, Kerri, for being my Gr friend and for shelving this book. I wouldn't have known about it otherwise. I can't wait to read your thoughts on it.

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hedgehogs in Britain are disappearing. Mostly because humans are greedy asshats. But not everyone is a greedy asshat - Sally Coulthard certainly is not. She not only tells us everything you ever wanted to know about hedgehogs, but more importantly what can be done to save them. Terrific illustrations - they appear to be woodblock prints and they are lovely.

[Felicity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a Christmas present and loved it! It’s a beautiful little book with sweet illustrations and really interesting facts. An easy read and I’m now inspired to help the hedgehogs!!

[WinterGirl83 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little book all about hedgehogs 🦔

Really enjoyed reading about a year in the life of the spiky little creature. I remember seeing a lot more when I was younger too. Hoping to get a proper hedgehog house or two for the garden to help give them a safe space!

[Sachi · Rating 5 out of 5]

New found love for hedgehogs!

Wonderful :) Very beautifully written. I especially loved the introduction to every chapter. I learned so much and was transported to the idyllic countryside.

[Kelly Furniss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely charming book. Snippets of facts and detailed information. Advice on helping hedgehogs, attracting & looking after them. Month by month we find out what they would be doing and sweet illustrations accompanied it.
A great short book for any fan.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and perfect if you want to help hedgehogs. It’s sad how hedgehog numbers are declining but the book is a great source of information if you want to help our cute spiky little friends.

[Fei · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enchanting book filled with charming illustrations, smooth prose, and surprisingly easy-to-read facts, this is the book about hedgehogs I never knew I needed.

[steven smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tidy

Well worth a read if you want to know more about hedgehogs and learn things that need doing to save them

[Daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuk boekje over egels. Er staan veel feiten in die ik nog niet kende en daardoor vond ik het zeer informatief.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Och wat een geweldig, schattig handboekje vol met praktische tips en heldere informatie. Zou nu zo graag een tuin hebben zodat ik egelplekjes kon maken. Oh egeltjes 💖

[Eileen Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An utterly charming mini nature book that's full of humour and character. Beautiful sketches and binding. By the end even a neutral observer will have fallen in love with the humble creature.

[Sally Dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really up to date handbook that everybody should read to help keep hedgehogs from going extinct. Really should be used in schools.

[Sara Beatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book. The illustrations are darling woodcuts. It goes thru a hedgehog’s year, with tips on how to help them. I only wish they were native to North America.

[Ana Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

cosy