Hedgehog numbers have declined sharply across Scotland, rescuers have revealed.
The Wormit Hedgehog Care Centre in Fife has taken in 98 of the creatures this year – up from 52 in 2013, but far below the 322 it cared for in 2008.
Numbers have dipped gradually every year since the peak six years ago, with 268 rescued in 2009, 228 in 2010, 103 in 2011 and 102 in 2012.
Sandy Boyd, who runs the centre at Wormit, Newport-on-Tay, with his wife Alice, said the weather had a large part to play in declining numbers.
“We’re not only rescuing fewer hedgehogs, we’re seeing fewer of them in general,” he said.
“The problem is they are not sexually mature until they’re a year old, and this spring was cold, meaning the litters were delayed.
“A hedgehog needs to be 600 grams (21 ounces) by the end of September to survive hibernation and if they’re only being born recently then they don’t have a chance to gain weight.
“Also if the mums are going into hibernation any time from October onwards the babies are left alone. Those are most likely the ones being brought to us.
“The hedgehogs we get are the ones that would probably not survive on their own, so every one that we can release back into the wild is a bonus.”
The centre receives residents from across Scotland, including as far afield as Aberdeen, Inverness and even Islay.
The animals have been listed as an endangered species since UK numbers dipped from an estimated 30 million in the 1950s to about 1.5 million now.
Most of the hedgehogs brought into the centre weigh about a quarter of the size they should have reached if they are to survive hibernation.
They are nocturnal animals and if they are seen during the day, it is likely they are unwell.
Mr Boyd advised anyone who finds a hedgehog to weigh it in order to find out if it is a baby or an adult.
Animals which need help should be put in a cardboard box lined with newspaper and a towel – and should never be given cow’s milk or bread.