Here's how you can help with hedgehog hibernation

Build it and they might come — if the bats, frogs, and other creatures wake from their slumbers. Fiann Ó Nualláin offers some tips.

Last week we took a look at some hotels and habitats to help overwintering butterflies, bees, and garden-friendly insects. This week, for the weekend that’s in it, I thought we should look at conducive environments for those other creatures preparing to hibernate right now — bats, warty toads, and spiny creatures.

Hibernation we might think of as a winter sleep but in fact, it is a stasis scenario were animals stock up on fat reserves and slow their heart rate and breathing down to minimum. Some even lower their body temperature and limit movement in order to survive off the fat reserves over winter.