HEDGEHOGS’ BREEDING PATTERNS are being affected by climate change, according to a Fife rescue centre for the animals.

Sandy Boyd, who runs the Wormit Hedgehog Care Centre, has issued a plea to the public to be on the lookout for small hedgehogs that are seriously underweight due to being born too late in the year.

Mr Boyd said warmer weather in recent years has led to many breeding out of season, with the result that their offspring are too small to survive the winter.

“We had one just come in that weighed only 85 grams and they should be around 650 grams upwards to make it through winter,” he said.

Mr Boyd said the tiny tot was found on a pavement in Newburgh and if it had not been picked up it would not have survived.

“Many hedgehogs are having litters very late and it seems to be happening more and more over the last couple of years.”

Mr Boyd takes in hedgehogs from across Scotland and advised anyone who finds a small one to get in touch with himself or the Scottish SPCA.

“Pick them up carefully with a pair of gloves and put them in a strong box with some paper or a towel to keep them warm and give them a little water.”

The centre is at 6 Flass Road, Wormit, on 01382 541311.