Hedgehogs are insectivores, which means their favourite foods are insects, slugs, earthworms, and beetles. They snuffle along the ground at night using their sensitive noses to find their next meal. They have very poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell, and they make charming little snuffling and grunting noises as they search.
In autumn, hedgehogs prepare for hibernation — a long, deep sleep through the coldest months. They build a cosy nest of dry leaves and grass, usually hidden under a pile of logs or garden rubbish, and then sleep there until spring. During hibernation, their body temperature drops and their heartbeat slows right down to save energy.
Hedgehogs are very helpful in gardens because they eat large numbers of slugs and snails that would otherwise damage plants. Many people put out dishes of water and hedgehog-friendly food to encourage them to visit. You can help hedgehogs even more by leaving a small gap at the bottom of garden fences so they can wander from garden to garden safely.