Sutton youngsters tackle prickly challenge (From Your Local Guardian)

Sutton youngsters tackle prickly challenge

8:20am Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Sutton

Children got face to face with some hedgehogs on Monday, February 13.

The Eco Experts club at the Sutton Ecology Centre taught children about one of London’s rarest mammals.

They learnt what hedgehogs eat, where they hibernate and how they can make their gardens more welcoming for the animals, which can travel up to a mile in a night in search of food.

Olivia Howarth, 6, said "I really enjoyed seeing the hedgehogs in real life.

"We learned a lot about what they eat – lots of people think that you should feed them bread and milk, but this is actually bad for them.

"Now I know what hedgehogs like, I’m going to put out food to try and get them to come and live in my garden."

Once a common sight across the UK, hedgehog numbers have declined by a quarter in the past ten years alone.

Sutton is one of just a few areas in London where the animals live.

Councillor Colin Hall, executive member for environment and climate change on Sutton Council, said: "Sutton residents are lucky enough to be able to see hedgehogs right in their back yards.

"It’s very unusual for Londoners to be able to see these rare creatures, so I’d encourage all residents to do what they can to make their gardens more welcoming for the animals."

For more information on what you could do to help hedgehogs, visit hedgehogstreet.org.

If you see a hedgehog in your garden, you can support national recording projects by submitting your records to biodiversity@sutton.org.uk and taking part in the People’s Trust for Endangered Species hibernation survey.

The Eco Experts club runs every school holiday, and over Easter children will have an opportunity to learn about have frogs, toads and newts.

To find out more, contact the Sutton Ecology Centre on 02087 705822 or e-mail sec@sutton.gov.uk.