Big hedgehog? ? ?

Kleftiwallah · #1 (**permalink**) 24-09-2009, 11:57 PM

We used to have quite a small hedgehog visit the dogfood I left out for IT? Now it seems our patch has been taken over by quite a big hedgehog.

This evening I was ready for the brute! I had the kitchen scales set up just inside the conservetory door. When (name unknown) arrived, I whipped him/her up and plonked ....on the scales......3 1/4 lbs! kg's unknown.

Is this a biggie? will I have to enlarge the 4-5inch across tunnel into the hibernation house I've built? I've got a pickie, but don't know how to proceed........Cheers, Tony.

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 25-09-2009, 12:26 AM

They're laying down fat reserves at this time of year ready for hibernation. The biggest ones can reach over 4 pounds in a good year if there's plenty around to fatten them up.

Marcia · #3 (**permalink**) 25-09-2009, 08:57 AM

Hi Kleftiwallah,

Like Wild-Woman said hedgehogs are trying to get as much as fat as they can to survive the hybernation but I agree that your visitor is quite big. Could you make sure it's a male hedgehog? It could be a pregnant female and if so, she will need to be look after by a carer as her babies will be too small to survive the upcoming winter. In males the penis is located where one might expect to see a belly button (and looks like one too).

Hope to hear more from your visitor.