25/08/2022
🦔This little hedgehog was brought to us as he was found out in the day. He weighs in very small and so our efforts move to helping keep him warm and feeding him. Unfortunately he probably wont be ready to be released before the winter as he is far too little and has a big weight gain to acheive so he will remain in the hogspital but here is some things you can do to help hedgehogs in the run up to autumn
🦔🍂Hedgehogs typically hibernate from autumn to spring (October - March), but this can vary depending on the temperature and food available.
The hedgehog can survive with a very low heart rate, body temperature and respiration rate without using up valuable energy, until its main food source returns in the spring.
During autumn, hedgehogs are busy preparing for this important process by:
· Fattening up on lots of autumn insects, and food provided by you!
· Sifting through autumn’s fallen leaves for some nest building.
· House hunting to be ready for winter.
Here are a few ways you can help...
food
A good supply of food & water can be vital🪲
Although some larger male hedgehogs start to hibernate as early as September if the weather is cooler, many females have second litters around this time. They won’t hibernate until the babies have left home and young hoglets will then face a battle to reach hibernation weight before winter.
You can help hedgehogs out by putting out either meaty cat food and biscuits, dog meat, or hedgehog brand pellets and wet food which can be bought from local pet shops, outdoor shops, or online
Leave those leaves!🍂🍂
It’s really tempting to be tidy and remove all the fallen autumn leaves, but you’ll be robbing a hedgehog of a cosy nest
Hedgehogs prefer to use dry, medium sized deciduous leaves for their nests. Oak, hazel and beech are great choices as well as leaves from fruit trees like apple and cherry! Rake the leaves into piles and try to keep them dry with a shelter, for example by propping a piece of wood against a fence. You can also leave some straw near potential nest sites or houses to help out!
Homes for hedgehogs 🏠
Now is a great time to start put out a hedgehog house. Place it in a quiet part of your garden, preferably against a bank, wall or fence. It can really help hedgehogs out if you fill these homes with a small amount of straw.
They will add to this with natural dried leaves and foliage found around the garden!
If you see a hedghehog who is out in the day or injured Please contact us.
