🦍 World Endangered Species Day 2025. 🦔

Albus_Scope

Yes folks it's that time of year again when we all start exclaiming that "It wasn't this hot this time last year I swear?!" which I think shows that the climate is having a bit of a bad time. Unfortunately it's not just us that suffer and many species are now having a hard time too.

A species that is "endangered" is on the verge of extinction, in some cases with less than 13 individuals left on the planet! Just think about that, you could probably fit that entire species into your house or flat without having to put anyone in the bath. Luckily some lovely humans are making a worldwide effort to save many of these species and some species are actually now just marked as "vulnerable" instead of "endangered" so it's not all bad news.

Did you know the humble hedgehog is now on the endangered list?

Yes it's not just climate change that's causing our other earthly pals issues. There's deforestation, restructuring, human encroachment on land and a plethora of other things that may be good for us, but are absolutely terrible for the local flora and fauna. Hedgehogs for instance are having to contend with their lands being built on, along with roads being placed in the middle of their hunting grounds, as well as their food sources being killed off by humans. So they're not having a great time!

But it's not all bad news! In 2025, while many animals remain endangered, some species have seen population recoveries and are no longer classified as endangered, including the giant panda, bald eagle, and American alligator. However, ongoing conservation efforts are crucial to ensure their continued survival.

Can you think of any more endangered animals, or ways we can help them every day? Let us know with a comment. 😁

WhatThe

(I remember snow in London in May not so long ago!)

In the wild, hedgehogs have quite a varied diet as they eat lots of creepy crawlies, called invertebrates, such as: worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, and millipedes. Hedgehogs have been known to attempt to eat wasps and bees before as their stings interestingly do not affect them, but hedgehogs will usually enjoy eating frogs, baby rodents and bird’s eggs, too – if they are lucky!

So, please don't kill hedgehogs by poisoning their prey!!!!!

Albus_Scope

Well said @WhatThe yet another reason I only use nematodes to get rid of slug infestations these days. and ONLY if it's a proper population explosion. The rest of the time I just plant sacrificial crops. 😊

Holly_Scope

Thanks for sharing this @Albus_Scope although hedgehogs now being endangered did make me sad. We have a little one visit our garden. I often spot him from the kitchen in the evening 💛

lincsgranny

I look after this little hedgehog comes every night for some food and water sometimes there's 2 of them so had a little house made for them for shelter 🦔

Holly_Scope

Awww love this @lincsgranny 🤗 that's so sweet of you! What do you feed your little friend? Have you named them?

lincsgranny

I worry about animals so I have to do my bit 👍

lincsgranny

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1028947#Comment_1028947

Feed small cat biscuits and my grandson has name them sonic and knuckles 😀

Holly_Scope

Thanks. I might have to purchase some for my little visitor 🙂 They're brilliant names!