Adult education providers in Plymouth are to come to the rescue of the nation’s Mrs Tiggy-Winkles.
A course in “hedgehog awareness” is to run later this month.
Four years ago there were two million of the spiky characters in the UK: now that number has halved.
Jean Linton, the course leader, said: “We will teach people how to administer emergency first aid if hedgehogs are caught in netting; what to do if they find a nest; and what to feed them with (crickets and mealworms).” They also like bananas.
As the country celebrates European Hedgehog Awareness Month, adults on the course will be at the cutting edge. But if you are thinking of keeping one as a pet, be prepared to trim its nails every couple of weeks.