A new, non-invasive way to measure stress in European hedgehogs has been developed and tested by Ph.D. researcher Emily Harper. This method involves analyzing stress-related hormones in hedgehog feces, which could help scientists and conservationists better understand how various stressors affect these animals’ health and well-being. The technique is especially useful for species like the European hedgehog, which is experiencing population declines and is often rescued and rehabilitated due to habitat loss and other threats. Stress is a natural reaction to danger, helping animals respond quickly to threats. However, when stress becomes chronic, it can weaken the immune system, harm reproduction, and increase the risk of death. For the European hedgehog, identifying and measuring stress is important because they are considered an "indicator species," meaning their health can reflect the overall condition of their ecosystem. In the U.K., about 40,000 hedgehogs are in captivity at any given time, often being rehabilitated after being injured or orphaned. The study, published in the journal Conservation Physiology, tested three non-invasive methods used in other mammals to measure stress hormones, specifically glucocorticoids, in hedgehog feces. These hormones are known to increase in response to stress. The research found that when hedgehogs were admitted to rehabilitation centers, their fecal glucocorticoid levels peaked the day after admission and then decreased over the next seven days. This period includes several stressful events, such as capture, transport, and veterinary care. The most sensitive method showed the greatest difference in hormone levels before and after stress, making it the best choice for further study. The study also found that hedgehogs that died during rehabilitation had significantly higher stress hormone levels than those that survived, suggesting a possible link between stress and mortality. Additionally, hedgehogs infected with a common parasite called Capillaria had higher glucocorticoid levels than uninfected ones. After seven days in rehabilitation, the stress levels in the hedgehogs returned to levels similar to those of healthy, wild hedgehogs. This validated method now opens the door for further research on how different environmental changes and human activities affect hedgehog stress levels. It could also help improve rehabilitation practices by allowing caretakers to monitor the impact of treatments and prolonged captivity on hedgehog health. This study marks the first time a stress measurement method has been validated specifically for European hedgehogs, providing a reliable tool for future conservation and research efforts.