Disapearing Hedgehog

Gem83 · #1 (**permalink**) 16-07-2010, 06:38 PM

We used to have two hedgehogs in our garden, each under seperate pampass grasses however one of them (the much larger one) has not been spotted for a few weeks.
Is it likely it could have had hoglets and be looking after them or is is more likely yo have found a new home?

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 16-07-2010, 06:43 PM

Impossible to say, there are several reasons when you arnt seeing it, it could be as simple as its changed its feeding times or sleeping area. At this time of year it is possible that it has given birth and moved area. Also there is the chance it has been killed, sadly alot die on roads, hopefully not but it would explain a sudden absence. Keep an eye out and hopefully it will turn up.

Gem83 · #3 (**permalink**) 16-07-2010, 06:47 PM

Thanks Dogghound, I hope nothing has happened. We are not very close to a main road and the neighbours do have lots of overgrown areas so hopefully he has just moved out.
I am not sure why he would though as he has a constant supply of food and water.

Here is a pic of the only time we have seen them together in our feeding station

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 16-07-2010, 06:53 PM

Possibly left to breed?

HedgehogRescue · #5 (**permalink**) 18-07-2010, 04:36 PM

Boys will be charging around all over the place looking for females. Females will have found a nice nesting place if they've given birth and won't stray far from it until the hoglets are around 4-5 weeks old.

Keep putting the food and water out, they'll come when they need it.

digannio · #6 (**permalink**) 18-07-2010, 06:38 PM

We had a hedgehog that visited every night and gobbled up a small bowl of fresh chicken and drank from a water bowl. But for a few nights it has not been seen and the chicken has been left. To be honest I've stopped putting the food out now for fear of possible vermin with it being left uneaten overnight altho I leave some water just in case. I think I'll re-commence with the chicken if there is any evidence that it's back... ie dollops of the black stuff!

HedgehogRescue · #7 (**permalink**) 20-07-2010, 09:54 PM

The problem is that if you stop, so do they. They don't make the effort to come in if they think there's no reward. Instead of putting out chicken get some small cat biscuits and make a feeding station. Plenty of plans on the web to copy.

But even if you stop putting out food, please don't stop putting out water. All wildlife is desperate for it even though we have had some rain.

digannio · #8 (**permalink**) 21-07-2010, 02:52 PM

I think you may have misunderstood. I only stopped putting out the chicken because it had stopped coming into the garden and I still do leave a bowl of water out. I have tried the biscuits you refer to but you know how fussy they can be. This one left crushed peanuts, cat biscuits, good quality dog food and raisins all untouched. I've witnessed it turning its nose up at all of these. The only thing it would take was the fresh chicken which I stopped when it was being left uneaten over several nights.

It previously used to come into the garden regularly for its natural food juding by the amount of poo scattered around and obviously that food is still there whenever it wants and my garden is very wildlife friendly. In fact there was probably more evidence of its activity in the garden when it just coming for its natural food before i started on the chicken regime.

Obviously it could be just that it is taking a different route on its travels or something has happened to it. I would never have stopped the chicken food but unfortunately you can't be leaving this sort of stuff night after night uneaten because the more unwelcome visitors will soon be attracted. But, as I say, it has water should it pass through again and a ready supply of beatles, worms and the rest all at hand.

HedgehogRescue · #9 (**permalink**) 21-07-2010, 04:45 PM

It may have been a pregnant female who has now given birth. They stay in the nest with the babies for at least 4 days before coming out to look for food for themselves. After 4 weeks ish they bring the babies with them. By stopping food you may be missing out on something wonderful.

digannio · #10 (**permalink**) 21-07-2010, 05:00 PM

Don't worry, if it appears again or any signs of it, the small portions of chicken are waiting in the freezer. Just can't take the risk of rats by leaving this kind of food without being touched night after night. I don't now think it was a pregnant female as the food was being left a lot longer than four nights. It's still a hedgie friendly garden with fresh water and plenty of bugs provided by nature.

I do look after them and have, in fact, rescued two injured hogs that I found out during the day. I took them to a lady I tracked down through the Preservation Society whose bungalow was awash with them while they recovered. One had a foot injury which looked to be from a strimmer. I even removed ticks from them with a drop of olive oil which worked a treat and no doubt made them more comfortable.