little hedgehog

nibbler · #1 (**permalink**) 25-01-2010, 10:05 PM

There is a small hedgehog outside my door
looks healthy (eating the food I leave out for the fox)
surely it is too cold? how did it survive the snow?
what should I do

Jez · #2 (**permalink**) 25-01-2010, 10:29 PM

Hi nibbler,

call this number they are open 24hours 7days a week and help all kinds of animals, they would at this instant be best to call to ease your worrying, I'm most certain our hedgehog rescuers on the forum would give you as equally sound advice but none seem to be around it appears and unless someone is as knowledgeable who can provide the answers I'd phone for peace of mind!

01844 292292

Phoebe · #3 (**permalink**) 25-01-2010, 10:33 PM

Hi nibbler, there may be more than one if it is a little hedgehog you see, if it looks healthy and fat it could be the sightly warmer weather has woken it, I don't know when they normally come out but if you want to put food down for it I would suggest some dog meat if you have some but not bread or milk. Could you get a photo of it and post it on here? I'm sure some with more knowledge will see your thread and help you.

Is it still there?

Phoebe

EDIT: that's very good advice Jez, I saw this thread a while back but really didn't know how to answer it, as there seems to be no 'hoggy' people on tonight.

Edit: again! In what part of Britain are you? Is it cold where you are?

Hedgehoggy · #4 (**permalink**) 26-01-2010, 12:50 PM

Hi Nibbler

Any news on the little hedgehog?

It depends how small the hedgehog is as to whether intervention may be necessary. If you weren’t able to catch the hog last night, continue to leave out food and water; this really will help the little critter (as well as your fox!

). If you see it again, pick it up and weigh it. If it’s very much under the recommended safe hibernation weight of 600g, it’ll likely need over-wintering till the spring to guarantee its survival. Sadly, a lot of underweight hedgehogs never wake from hibernation.

Contrary to popular belief, hedgehogs don’t hibernate solidly all through the winter. Excluding nest disturbances, hedgehogs occasionally wake from hibernation (especially during milder weather such as we’re experiencing now), some of which will then venture out of their nests in search of food and water, while others will just remain ‘holed-up’ in their nests before hibernating again. We're apparently in for more sub-zero temps by the end of the week, so any up and about now will likely resume hibernation by then.

nibbler · #5 (**permalink**) 26-01-2010, 03:49 PM

Hi Hedgehoggy
I think it may be the little baby that you helped me with last October (sadly it disappeared - I was very upset, but I am telling myself that this is the same one!!!)

I have just been to the shops to get some more dog food (the fox looked most 'put out' to see someone else eating from his bowl last night

If he comes back tonight I will weigh him.

Comfy chair by the back door, glass of wine and the scales at the ready - I'll let you know what happens.

p.s. it was very interesting to learn that hedgehogs don't necessarily hibernate all winter.
It is certainly colder here today (Hampshire)

nibbler · #6 (**permalink**) 26-01-2010, 03:59 PM

Hi Hedgehoggy
I think it may be the little baby that you helped me with last October (sadly it disappeared - I was very upset, but I am telling myself that this is the same one!!!)

I have just been to the shops to get some more dog food (the fox looked most 'put out' to see someone else eating from his bowl last night

If he comes back tonight I will weigh him.

Comfy chair by the back door, glass of wine and the scales at the ready - I'll let you know what happens.

p.s. it was very interesting to learn that hedgehogs don't necessarily hibernate all winter.
It is certainly colder here today (Hampshire)

p.p.s. My Avatar is 'Nibbler'. she was run over last July, I miss her so much, she was hilarious fun.

Hedgehoggy · #7 (**permalink**) 26-01-2010, 08:21 PM

High probability it IS the same one!

It’s made it through the harshest of winter thus far, so even if you don’t manage to spot it again tonight, leaving regular food and water out will give it the best chance of building up crucial fat reserves needed to survive the rest of the winter.

Good luck with the doorstep vigil tonight. Don’t overdo the vino while you’re waiting, as you might just find yourself trying to catch two hoggies!

(Sorry to learn that Nibbler is no longer with you. I hope my comment on your avatar hasn’t worsened your barely-healed grief.)