IOPENED the box and peered inside. At first I could just see straw, but then I heard a rustling noise and the shiny black tip of a pointed snout emerged. I cleared some of the straw away to get a better look, and the snout rapidly receded.

Hedgehogs are shy creatures with an effective response to the prying fingers of a vet: they curl into a tight ball. Wearing gloves, I carefully lifted the rolled-up creature out of the box onto my consult table to have a better look, but all I could see was a sphere of prickly spines.

Hedgehogs present an entirely new type of challenge to vets: when a prickly patient is on the consulting table, it's impossible to examine it properly if its curled up. Patience is needed: eventually, hedgehogs cautiously unroll themselves, and a gentle examination can then commence.

Hedgehogs are my favourite type of wild animal patient. If anyone reports that they've found a sick or injured hedgehog, I'm always happy to have a look. In fact, even healthy hedgehogs can benefit from a quick visit to the vet: it's useful to have a weight check, worm dose and flea treatment. Poorly hedgehogs often need much more intensive intervention, but it can be rewarding: they seem less stressed by human contact than some wild animals. After a few weeks in rehabilitation, a hedgehog that is on the verge of death can be restored to full health, ready to be released to an independent life in the wild.

Ireland's population of hedgehogs may be in trouble. It's hard to know for sure, because the detailed research hasn't yet been done, but reports from our neighbours in the UK suggest that hedgehog numbers over there may have reduced by 25% in the past decade. This is thought to be due to a number of factors, including the gradual intensification of agriculture - with larger fields and the loss of hedgerows and permanent grassland.

The wider use of pesticides has also had an impact: hedgehogs eat insects and if the insect population declines, there's less food for hedgehogs. Finally, climate change may also be having an effect.

Hedgehogs have an established annual routine, hibernating from late October through till March. If the weather is severely cold, like last year, there will be a high mortality rate amongst hibernating hedgehogs. On the other hand, if it's exceptionally mild (like this winter), this may delay or even prevent hibernation, which may have an unpredictable effect on hedgehog populations.

There's something strangely appealing about hedgehogs. Other wild creatures such as rats or weasels are treated with fear and distrust: hedgehogs seem to be universally liked. I suspect that their popularity is due to three factors.

Firstly, hedgehogs have been popular characters in children's fiction. Beatrix Potter did a wonderful job of humanising hedgehogs in "The Tale of Mrs Tiggywinkle", over a hundred years ago. This set the tone for hedgehogs being seen as industrious but friendly individuals. Another English author, Alison Uttley, wrote similar illustrated books about talking mammals: her hedgehog was called Fuzzypeg.

Second, hedgehogs do, indeed, have a positive effect in the garden. They eat slugs, snails and other garden pests, and they're probably the most effective form of natural pest control.

Third, hedgehogs must be amongst the least aggressive of all wild animals. If other mammals - such as foxes, badgers or rats are cornered, they may lunge at you in desperate self defence. A hedgehog, in contrast, will simple roll into a harmless ball. The only way that hedgehogs are likely to harm you is if you try to pick them up without gloves: their prickles are sharp. I've seen many dogs with "hedgehog rash" on their muzzles after they've unsuccessfully tried to do battle with a hedgehog.

The popularity of hedgehogs has resulted in a new trend: pet hedgehogs. African Pygmy Hedgehogs have been bred in captivity for the past thirty years, and some people now choose to keep them as pets, as spikey alternatives to guinea pigs or gerbils. I'm not convinced that they are ideal animals to domesticate, but they certainly have an exotic appeal that some people like.

As a vet, I'm often asked the following questions about hedgehogs.

What should be done with wild hedgehogs that are sick or injured? The best advice is to visit a new website: irishwildlifematters.ie. This excellent website lists all Irish mammals, including hedgehogs, with step by step tips on exactly what to do if you find animals in trouble. You may end up having to take an injured animal to your local vet, but the website offers sensible, practical advice that will allow you to deal confidently with many situations on your own.

How do you attract hedgehogs into gardens? Once again, the internet is helpful: a British website (thehedgehog.co.uk/garden. is full of useful tips. Some are obvious (make sure that you have gaps at ground level in the fences or walls surrounding your garden to allow hedgehogs to come in) and some are more subtle (specific plants are listed that provide year-round shelter for hedgehogs as well as attracting the types of insects that hedgehogs enjoy eating).

Finally, what if someone has a large walled-in garden, and they want a hedgehog? Think about contacting your local vet. Vets are often called to treat injured hedgehogs which need to be rehomed once they've recovered.

Mrs Tiggywinkle and Fuzzypeg may have been fictitious characters, but the real life versions continue to be as popular as ever.

- Pete Wedderburn