A set of stamps depicting the blonde hedgehog, which is found on Alderney, have been released by Guernsey Post’s philatelic bureau.

Several pairs of hedgehogs were introduced into Alderney, as pets, during the late 1950s and early 1960s.  These animals subsequently escaped, and the current population are believed to have come from these few animals.

The introduction of a small number of brown hedgehogs must have contained some, which had the rare leucistic (blonde) gene. Through in-breeding over the course of around 20 years from their release, the island started to see occasional hedgehogs with light coloured hair – spines – appearing.

Whilst blonde colouration is typically a rare trait, on Alderney it is estimated that around 60% – or as many as 400-600 hedgehogs – are blonde. The recessive genes mean that the animals simply have less pigmentation than is normal for hedgehogs.

Whilst the UK has seen hedgehogs decline by over a third in the past ten years the population on Alderney is thought to be stable. The hedgehogs on Alderney are active throughout the winter if it is mild, with a much-reduced hibernation period.

Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: – “We’re delighted to depict the blonde hedgehog on our stamps. As over half of Alderney’s hedgehogs are blonde they are a common sight on the island, where they can be found foraging around the island after sunset from spring to autumn.”

The stamp products are available to order now at www.guernseystamps.com or by calling Philatelic Customer Services on +44 (0) 1481 716486.