Taunton, Bridgwater, and Minehead

Back to the Impact Map

Hedgehogs: Britain's favourite garden visitor faces possible food shortages during summer droughts which may cause young hedgehogs to hibernate with insufficient body weight to survive the winter. Late-brood young hedgehogs face similar problems. Like many hibernators, hedgehogs can wake frequently in a warm winter, burning off their fat reserves too quickly.

Frogs and Toads: Early summer droughts could kill tadpoles much more often in the future. As toads tend to 'adopt' one breeding pond, they are unlikely to move onto another if it dries up. Overall, droughts are bad for amphibians, and warm winters will break up hibernation, making it more hazardous.