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Originally Posted by mbaldw  earlier this week, a lady contacted me asking for a description of squirrel poo (I get this kinda thing quite a bit  ). |
IMHO I think it’s plausible that all 3 photos are hedgehog poo. The differing colours and consistencies resultant of their diet.
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Also, when the weather gets very cold, hedgehogs (bats, too for that matter) will often rouse from hibernation and search for food - they are at danger of frostbite or freezing to death if temperatures drop below 1oC.
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Indeed. During hibernation the hedgehog’s body cools down and the heart rate decreases from approx 190pm to 20pm. Their body temperature drops from 35oC to approx 10oC and breathing almost stops. If the air temperature in their hibernacula falls below freezing, they’re at risk of ice crystals forming in their blood, so their body functions switch back on and rouses them from their deep sleep.
Likewise, they may rouse from hibernation during a mild spell
Most hedgehogs don't leave their nests during these periods of arousal, but obviously some do, either to forage for food to top up their fat reserves or to build a warmer hibernacula.
Hibernation is a very complex event indeed!