Worried about an underweight hedgehog

[janecrossen]

Hi everyone. New poster so be gentle

I've had no less than 11 hedgehogs in my garden this year. A few just came and went. At one point I had five in the garden at the same time. Plus four very underweights came my way and have been happily re-settled via a rescue centre. The other two were underweight but I brought them on and released them back into the wild (ie my garden:-) Over the last few days I have seen two about in my garden. I have two hibernation house which have been well used as 'nomadic' sleeping posts for various 'hogs over the last few months. At one point two were sleeping in the same house with a solo in the other one.

Now I have a dilemma.... over the last few weeks there are still two about. They are clearly underweight. Tonight I brought one in and weighed him, he was looking slightly disorientated. He is 400gms. I released him back into my garden which, btw, is packed with mealworms and has been for months:-) The other one is zzz-ing it in one of the bxes but looks to be about the same size/weight.

My question is this: it's late November and is 400gms too light for hibernating? Apparently it's going to get very, very cold over the next few days.

[Farplace]

yes 400gms is too light. The general thought is that they need to be nearer 700gms to survive the winter.

[CharlieCreek]

Hi Jane, welcome to WAB.

yes 400 grams is far too light for them to hibernate they just wouldn't have the reserves to make it through hibernation.

As Farplace has said 700 grams is the kind of wieght they need to be to make it. As you say the forecast is for far colder weather as well, so it is a rescue job to give them the best chance possible.

[janecrossen]

OK. Well, I'm on 'hog watch tonight then!

Have two 'safe houses' sorted in the house. I've done it for six this year so I know the routine!! If I can catch them I'll re-weigh them and keep them in, build them up and see how we go....

[CharlieCreek]

well hope the hogwatch goes well and please come back and let us know how it goes

[Susie]

Should hedgehogs be hibernating by now? I've had one come around the house lately (I keep finding it on the doorstep) and I've been feeding it. If it isn't able to survive the winter I'll take it in next time and either look after it myself or find a rehoming centre for it.

[CharlieCreek]

No, hedgehogs can hibernate any time from October through to January.

The key is the weight, if the one visiting you is under 700 grams at this time of year when food supplies are low and cold snaps can happen anytime it would be too light to hibernate if the need came on.

So if the hog is a good size, weight and looks in good condition e.g. no nasty smells, no visible injuries, nice bright eyes, shiney spines, isn't acting strange or out in daylight then I wouldn't be overly concerned. Just keep on putting the food out, if a hedgehog has a good supply of food and the temperature isn't too bad then some will stay active.

Of course you could always pop a hog home in the garden as well and he/she may choose it to hibernate in when the time comes if the food is near.

[Susie]

Thank you, you're reply is much appreciated.

I made a hedgehog house a couple of weeks back so hopefully the critter will spend a confortable winter.

[CharlieCreek]

No problem,

just a thought which you are probably doing anyway...this time of year hard foot is the ticket as wet food can freeze during the night and also of course water to drink as well.

Thumbs up on the hog home

[Susie]

Nope, you're a step ahead of me there, I hadn't considered putting out hard food. It's been getting shredded roast chicken up until now and fortunately it hasn't been cold enough for it to freeze. With a cold snap imminent I will get some dry food in. Thanks.