2016-11-22 Tue

On 14th November, the Royal Mail issued four self-adhesive postage labels featuring hibernating animals. These postage labels are also known as “post & go” as the denominations or service inscriptions are printed at the time of purchase.

The dormouse, brown long-eared bat, hedgehog and a grass snake are depicted on these labels. The dormouse has a fluffy tail and spends half the year in hibernation. They sleep in nests woven from strands of honeysuckle bark and dried grass away from the woodland habitat. U.K has 18 species of bats. The one depicted on the stamp has very sensitive ears and can hear a ladybird walking on a leaf as well. They hibernate in caves, tunnels, mines, icehouses, and sometimes trees and buildings in winters. Hedgehogs do not really sleep during hibernation but drop their body temperature to match their surroundings and enter a state of torpor. This makes normal activities very difficult. The grass snake is found in wetland habitats and hibernates between October and April.

Osborne Ross designed the labels using illustrations by Chris Wormell, a wood engraver and illustrator and author of children’s books.