Spinning Hedgehogs!

[posie]

Thanks HH, maybe hibernation is more than just 'sleep', maybe the brain is in a state of sedation more than in usual sleep, so they are not woken by noise, movement etc.( mind you I know a few men that are like that all the time ! ! And some of them are pretty prickley at times.).....We've got 3 hogs live in our big hay barn, they went into hibernation about 3 wks ago, but they were well fed and fat.They are in the barn under the pallets with the hay on.

[Jim Ford]

'Spiny Norman' lives in a hanger at Luton Airport!

Jim

[posie]

How does he keep safe.Do people feed him.How long has he been there???

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by posie

How does he keep safe.Do people feed him.How long has he been there???

Nice - I was waiting for someone to rise and take the bait!
;^)

Piranha Brothers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jim

[posie]

Why Jim, do you really think I did. I would have said it was YOU who rose to my bait....Poe

[Hedgehoggy]

Posie, you're absolutely right, hibernation is not actually 'sleeping' but a complex process of conservation strategy:

British Hedgehog Preservation Society

What I find fascinating is that if a hibernating hog is disturbed, it will (usually) emit a long hiss (similar to the sound of letting air out of a tyre!), indicating that the hog is still acutely aware of intrusions.

Your 3 hibernating hogs have found the perfect hoggy hibernating heaven amidst all that lovely cosy and warm hay in your barn


Jim, I had to google Spiny Norman!

[Marcia]

Hedgehoggy, thanks for your explanations, specially about your experience with hibernating hedgehogs in your care! It's very interesting that some are able to hibernate when others are still partying. This will be the first time that I'll be able to watch my hedgehogs' behaviour during winter: Muffin indoors and Misty outdoors. Both are still up and about and eating well.

I wonder about my beloved Spikey and Nutkin... I hope they've found a nice safe place to hibernate.

[Dinasaw]

I've been catching up on this thread today, and I think anyone who can nurture wild animals in their home is very clever and patient. The only wildlife I have kept indoors with any success are spiders and, when we had a cat, fleas......
But on the subject of ticks, I found the easiest way to remove them from my dog was indeed covering with Vaseline (just the tick, not the dog) so would think this the least stressful for the hedgies too.
I found a sick woodpigeon once and took it to my neighbour (as he kept chickens) for him to take care of. He did, but not in the way I had hoped.....

Best wishes with your little charges, Schmoo!

[Schmoo]

Hi All

Its been absolutely ages it seems!

Piddle and Poop have been hibernating in their lovely wooden house in their heated green house since I last posted! We have had some nice weather and spring is clearly on the way but they are still snoozing is this normal? Shouldn't they be waking up and stretching their little legs by now? We have checked on them several times and can hear snoring type noises. Should they be picked up and weighed at this point?

I think my dad would quite like his greenhouse back soon

Is it possible to move their home?

Thanks again for all the help and support xxx

[Malx]

Hi Schmoo!

Nope, just like teenagers at the weekend, let them get up when they're good and ready.
Shouldn't be long now, with the weather on the turn (it's the Vernal Equinox this Saturday). Much like with Bagpuss and friends, I expect one will wake up as soon as the other does.
Might be worth making sure they have fresh water in a non-catapulting bowl ready nearby, and maybe some suitable food. Put dry (i.e. non-fresh) food out just now, in case they're away with the fairies for another week or two.

Good luck with them, and stay in touch!