Hedgehogs win place on our banknotes, but need our help this winter
Hedgehogs are set to become stars of Britain’s wallets, but wildlife rescuers say the much-loved animals also need our support this autumn and winter.
The prickly garden visitors have been chosen alongside barn owls, buff-tailed bumblebees and Atlantic puffins to feature on the Bank of England’s next series of banknotes.
The RSPCA welcomed the announcement, saying their appearance could provide a daily reminder of the wildlife sharing our gardens and countryside.
But behind the hedgehog’s popularity lies a worrying picture.
Between 2021 and 2025, the charity admitted 9,198 hedgehogs to its wildlife centres, more than any other wild animal.
Admissions during June and July this year were 30 per cent higher than during the same months in 2025, with many young hoglets arriving dehydrated amid extreme summer heat and drought.
RSPCA wildlife expert Dr Rebecca Machin said: “Hedgehogs are hugely popular with the public, so we’re thrilled to see them represented on our banknotes.
“But behind that popularity is a worrying reality. We’ve admitted more than 9,000 hedgehogs to our wildlife centres over the last five years - and this summer was a stark reminder of how vulnerable they can be to hot weather.
“We hope seeing hedgehogs more regularly on our banknotes will remind people that these animals need our help too. Simple things like leaving out fresh water and making our gardens more wildlife-friendly can make a real difference to hedgehogs, bees, and other animals.”
As temperatures fall, wildlife hospital Tiggywinkles prepares for its annual influx of tiny hedgehogs struggling to build the reserves they need for winter.
Known as “autumn juveniles”, these youngsters are usually born late in the year and have less time to grow before cold weather arrives.
A Tiggywinkles spokesperson said: “Every year, as autumn turns to winter, Tiggywinkles sees a big increase in the number of very small hedgehogs brought to our hospital.
“These ‘autumn juveniles’ are usually born late in the year and simply don’t have enough time to grow big and strong before the cold weather arrives.”
From November onwards, the hospital cares for tiny hedgehogs weighing as little as 200g.
The spokesperson said: “They stay with us through the winter, getting expert care, plenty of nutritious food, and cosy warm nests. Our goal is to get them to a healthy weight so, when spring arrives, they can be released back into the wild where they belong.”
Experts advise seeking rescue guidance rather than deciding whether a hedgehog needs help on weight alone. Its health, the weather and the time of year also matter.
People can help by leaving out fresh water and making their gardens more welcoming to wildlife, with places to forage and shelter.
Anyone finding a hedgehog out on a cold day should seek advice, as it could be in trouble.
Tiggywinkles can be reached on 01844 292292, while nearby wildlife rescuers can be found through https://helpwildlife.co.uk/.
Supporters can also help fund the hospital’s work by sponsoring a hedgehog through https://sttiggywinkles.org.uk/help-us/adopt-an-animal/.
Meanwhile, the RSPCA said it was disappointed that foxes missed out on the banknote line-up despite coming fourth in the public vote.
The charity had called for less-loved animals, including foxes, gulls, pigeons and rats, to be considered, hoping the designs could challenge negative perceptions.
Dr Machin said: “Foxes are intelligent, adaptable animals and a familiar part of our towns and countryside. We hope missing out on the banknotes doesn’t stop them - or other wildlife that isn’t always seen in such a positive light - from getting the recognition they deserve.”
