Secret hedgehog 'superpower' discovered that could stop them being killed on our roads

WHO: Researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of Copenhagen.

WHAT: A scientific study revealing hedgehogs have "super-hearing" capabilities in the ultrasonic range.

WHERE: The University of Oxford, Department of Biology.

WHEN: 11 March 2026.

WHY: To find a way to deter hedgehogs from roads and robotic lawnmowers to reverse their population decline.

A new Oxford study suggests ultrasound could help save hedgehogs from becoming tragic roadkill on your morning commute.

Most of us have felt that sinking feeling when we spot a flattened hedgehog on the tarmac. Our prickly garden pals are in serious trouble, with their numbers plummeting across the country.

But brilliant boffins at Oxford have just discovered a hidden "superpower" that could keep them out of harm's way. It turns out hedgehogs can hear high-pitched sounds that are totally invisible to human ears.

The hedgehog hearing test

The research team used tiny electrodes to listen in on the brainwaves of 20 hedgehogs. They found these animals can hear sounds up to a massive 85 kHz.

For comparison, humans can only hear up to 20 kHz. This means hedgehogs are designed to hear a broad ultrasonic range, much like bats do.

Why one in three are at risk

Populations are in "grave decline" and the species was classed as "near threatened" back in 2024. Road traffic is a primary killer, with experts estimating that up to one in three hedgehogs are killed by cars in local areas.

By discovering this secret hearing range, scientists can now design special "repellers." These gadgets would be silent to us, but would sound like a loud warning to any hedgehogs near the road.

Built for high-pitched sound

To understand how they do it, the team used high-resolution micro-CT scans to build a 3D model of a hedgehog's ear. They found tiny, dense bones that act like stiff springs to pass high-pitched vibrations efficiently.

They even have a "stapes"—the smallest bone in the ear—that is exceptionally light. This allows it to vibrate at lightning speed to catch those ultrasonic waves.

More than just avoiding cars

Hedgehogs do not just face danger on the roads; robotic lawnmowers and garden strimmers are also a huge threat. These new ultrasonic devices could be fitted to garden tools to give hedgehogs a "heads up" to scurry away.

The team is now looking for partners in the car industry to build these life-saving "sonic shields." It is a simple piece of tech that could stop our best-loved mammals from disappearing for good.

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OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from University of Oxford. Document: New study suggests ultrasound could help save hedgehogs Source Link: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2026-03-11-new-study-suggests-ultrasound-could-help-save-hedgehogs