Hedgehog fan from Down Under

[WendyNZ]

Hello

I hope it is ok to join your forum! I am feeding 6 hedgehogs here in Wellington, NZ but can't find a local forum to join. It is of course early autumn here. I'm not sure if all hedgehogs actually hibernate here as our winters in Wellington are relatively mild with only occasional frosts (cold winds though!)

I have a feeding station which is proving so popular I need to make a bigger one! I put out water and meaty dry catfood. It is so much fun watching them going in and out of the feeding station although it is getting chilly for me spectating!

Four of 'my' hedgehogs are huge but 2 are smaller - still over the 600 gm mark though. Last night, after eating, one of the small ones curled up and had a nap in the feeder - should I be concerned? Don't know how long he/she was there as I went to bed.

Anyway, being an amateur at this all comments and advice is very welcome

Wendy

[chazzpott]

Hi there Wendy. Of course it's OK for you to join this forum. That's what it's here for. Welcome. Congratulations too, as I would imagine that you are the first Kiwi to join.
I don't know much about Hogs and even less about NZ ones, but are they the same animal as the ones here in the UK?

Charlie

[CharlieCreek]

I believe that the hedgehogs in New Zealand were introduced in the 19th Century by colonists which would make them the European Hedgehog and from Britain.

As to hibernation, they don't have to hibernate (ones in rescue centers over wintering often don't) and the actual trigger for hibernation isn't obvious as some in the wild will hibernate early and go through most of the winter, some will go down much later etc. It is I would speculate a mix of temperature, food availability and the hedgehogs own internal clock if you want.

So how this work in NZ I have no idea to be honest as I don't know anything about the seasonal temperatures or food availability in the seasons.

Nice to hear about hogs the other side of the world though.

[CharlieCreek]

... oh, and welcome to the forum, the more the merrier and especially about hogs (not that I am biased in any way! ).

[cara pace]

Hi WendyNZ,

Sounds like you have a nice set up there for your hogs!

I wonder if the little one maybe had a nice full belly and fancied a nap right next to the food, or maybe he was making sure he got first choice when the others returned! Keep an eye on him and if you notice any other change in his behaviour, let us know.

It will also be interesting to find out what happens with them regarding hibernation - keep us posted.

Watch out though, they come in droves when word gets about (as I think you are already starting to realise!) I started with one underweight juv last year, then another, then another and then another! They've all had a nice cosy winter with me, hibernated and now they've gone off to see the big wide world! I'm already bracing myself for the next batch later this year!

[WendyNZ]

Thanks for all your replies And yes, NZ hedgehogs are indeed the same as those in Britain - the colonists apparently missed them greatly and so shipped some over. (They also introduced birds including blackbirds and thrushes as well as rabbits - a real pest.)

The hedgehogs have flourished and as NZ has no native mammals other than a bat, they have no real predators.

Apparently our hedgehogs are unusual in not having fleas?

I am going away for several days and my husband is charged with hedgehog feeding while I am away - he likes them too.

I will keep you posted with any hibernation (or not) info

Wendy

[mbaldw]

Apparently our hedgehogs are unusual in not having fleas?

Yes, I'd read that too. Presumably the initial colonisers were de-fleaed before their release/escape.

Welcome to WAB.

Cheers,
Marc.