Hedgehog rescue and hibernation weights are a passion of mine at the moment. It all started when we realised we had 5 hedgehogs visiting our garden.
Hedgehogs are one of the few mammals that are true hibernators. Hibernation is complicated. It is often a perilous energy conservation strategy. It is not just ‘going to sleep.’
In sleep, all bodily functions remain nearly normal but in hibernation, the metabolism is almost at a standstill. During hibernation, hedgehogs drop their body temperature to match their surroundings and enter a state of torpor. This allows them to save a lot of energy but slows down all other bodily functions making normal activity impossible.
Look Out For Hedgehogs
Those hedgehogs visiting your garden over the next month will be trying to get as much body fat built up as possible. As a result, they will be ready to hibernate. Therefore please do keep providing food and water for your visiting hedgehogs.
Please note that hedgehogs are nocturnal animals and ordinarily will not be out and about during daylight hours. If you do see one, there is every likelihood that it is in some kind of difficulty and may require professional assistance.
As with every rule, there are always exceptions and if the hog that you’ve spotted looks very active and busy please try to observe before intervening. Don’t forget that we are dealing with live, wild creatures and each case will be different.
My Design Tips For Hedgehog Houses
Why not consider building a lovely hedgehog house for them to overwinter…!!! Find a couple of old 12 bottle wooden wine crates, attach a 15x13x30cm tunnel to keep out cats and other predators.
Fill the house with hay/leaves, place it in the corner of the garden and cover with logs/leaves – they’ll find it – JOB DONE!!!
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How Big Do They Need To Be To Survive Winter?
Sadly, Hedgehogs who are less than 600 – 650 grams by the end of October are too small to hibernate and are unlikely to survive the winter. However, here in the South, if it remains mild this can be stretched on into November.
Once we have a frost, any hogs under 600g will be in trouble. If you see a small hedgehog after October it is in serious trouble. You can help it in its desperate hunt for food to increase its weight. Only by being heavy enough can it hibernate and survive. By November all its natural food is declining.
Underweight Hedgehogs Need Help
These hedgehogs must be rescued and over-wintered by a suitably equipped hedgehog rescue/carer. If you should find such a hedgehog pick it up and place it into a high sided, escape-proof box.
Fill a hot water bottle or a pop bottle with hot water and wrap it in a towel. Place the towel-wrapped hot water bottle or pop bottle in the bottom of the box and pop the hedgehog in next to it. Place another towel over the hedgehog and close the box – be aware, hedgehogs can climb out of boxes!
Websites Where You’ll Find Further Information About How to Help Hedgehogs
(1) The Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital has a detailed list of the most common ways hedgehogs die, which includes popular garden products such as pesticides, garden wire/string amongst other items.
(2) Founded in 1982 the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, a registered charity offers help and advice to those with sick, injured or orphaned hedgehogs and maintains a list of rehabilitators based in the UK.
(3) Hedgehog Street has over 60,000 registered members. Check out their site and see how you can get involved.
(4) The Wildlife Trusts has a helpful section about how to help a hedgehog in distress.
(5) The People’s Trust for Endangered Species has a ten-year action plan to tackle issues facing rural and urban hedgehogs.
(6) The Hedgehog has more in-depth information about how to help hedgehogs, including what to do in an emergency and a useful links section.
Update
We have been contacted by a lovely lady called Claire who is also passionate about hedgehogs. She published a brilliant article to help educate and assist Britains favourite wild animal. There is a real cry for help from hedgehog rescues to get people fostering our little 4 legged friends. Read her helpful tips here.
Her further information includes the topics below and the links to organisations.
- Introduction
- Hedgehog fact file
- The decline of the British hedgehog
- Life from a hedgehog’s perspective
- What food hedgehogs eat
- Hedgehog Breeding
- Hibernation facts and info
- Hedgehog predators
- 10 practical steps you can take to help protect hedgehogs
- How to tell when a hedgehog is in need of help
- Summary
- List of websites with further information on how to help hedgehogs
Hedgehog Rescue and Hibernation – Oct 2019