Daytime hedgehog

treecreeper · #1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2010, 02:48 PM

This chap has been grubbing around my back lawn all afternoon. He was at it yesterday as well, also in broad daylight. Only when I went right up close did he pause his binge eating, and he didn't go into a ball. I can only assume he's frantically trying to put on weight before hibernation.

vole-woman · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2010, 02:56 PM

It's possible he might not be too well. The only time I've seen hogs out during the day, they were poorly - not saying this one is but keep a close eye on him. If he starts rocking or swaying, then he probably has hypothermia and it's time to contact a hog hospital without delay.

treecreeper · #3 (**permalink**) 04-10-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vole-woman

It's possible he might not be too well. The only time I've seen hogs out during the day, they were poorly - not saying this one is but keep a close eye on him. If he starts rocking or swaying, then he probably has hypothermia and it's time to contact a hog hospital without delay.

No rocking or swaying but he does have a big swollen tick near his ear. Half an hour ago I found him on the pavement so I put him back into the back garden. He promptly went round the side of the house back towards the pavement so I left him to it.

Hedgehoggy · #4 (**permalink**) 04-10-2010, 10:30 PM

Hedgehogs seen out in daylight are almost always in need of help and will have either an underlying illness, injury, or be starving. The exceptions are a lactating mother nipping out of the natal nest for a quick meal or drink, or if a nest has been disturbed/flooded. The fact that this hedgehog has spent prolonged periods out in daylight certainly eliminates a nest being disturbed/flooded. It could possibly be a lactating mother which has been unable to find sufficient food to sustain her during nursing – just because she was seen continually foraging, doesn’t mean she was actually finding anything substantial to eat. If you see her again tomorrow, to err on the side of caution to eliminate illness/injury, please pick her up, place her in a high-sided box (or something similar to contain her – they’re adept climbers), provide an old towel for her to burrow under, and take to your nearest wildlife centre for a check-over, or your nearest wildlife friendly vet (most vets will treat wildlife for free, but best to ring in advance to check their policy).

In the meantime, if you don’t already, could you possibly leave some food and water out in your garden for her. If she’s just starving, your handout will be a life-saver.

Our hedgehogs are declining at an alarming rate due to many factors, including loss of habitat and loss of natural food due to the trend of clinically-clean, invertebrate-free gardens, so every hedgehog saved matters. It is estimated that our only spiny mammal in the UK could be extinct by 2025 if this current trend of decline continues, so we all need to do our bit to help reverse this decline.

I hope all ends well.

treecreeper · #5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 02:34 PM

Thanks for this useful information Hedgehoggy. I was already leaving food and water out as there are a few hedgehogs round about. I haven't seen my hedgehog today.

Someone told me it's possible to remove the ticks with tweezers. Is this advisable for amateurs or should it be left the vet or wildlife hospital?

Farplace · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 03:06 PM

Ticks CAN be removed using tweezers, but it is not at all easy. Most of the time you end up with the head of the tick still attached to the animal, which will cause infection. You are better asking a vet or wildlife rescue centre which will have the correct equipment. Alternatively, Johnsons(TM) sell a product called "Tick Off" which can be used, but needs applying every day for 3-4 days. Available from pet shops.