need help- found a wild baby hedgehog

[l3ladex]

Hi, I've found this baby hedgehog in my garden yesterday, it was alone by the path so i've pick it up put him in a shoe box and im trying to feed it but what should i give to it? also it seem to be asleep most of the time i went to see it, is that normal? please give some suggestion

[Farplace]

How big is the baby hedgehog? Does it have any injuries? Is it able to curl up?
Unless it is VERY young (under 2 inches from nose to tail, and with soft prickles) it will probably tuck in to meat-flavoured cat food, mealworms, and chopped peanuts. You should also give it some water in a non-tip dish.
It will probably sleep until evening, as they are mostly nocturnal.
If it is healthy and eating well, release it back where it was found this evening.
If it is injured or unwell, or if it is a very young baby with soft prickles, you need to get it to a wildlife sanctuary after getting it checked over by a vet.
Do not give the hedgehog any milk.

[l3ladex]

It's around 3-4 inch long and I don't really know if it has injury but it doesn't seem to curl. I tried waived my hand in front of it and it doesn't do anything.

I gave it some chopped nut and rasin at lunch but it doesnt seem to eat a great deal

[Farplace]

I think perhaps you need to get it checked over by a vet, just to be on the safe side.

[Hedgehoggy]

Hi, at 3 inches long the hoglet may not be fully weaned so would need specialist care. He’ll also need to be kept warm because if he’s not warm enough, he won’t be able to drink or feed. Are you keeping him indoors?

In the meantime, do you have something larger and more secure than a shoebox that you can put him in? Something like a large cardboard box or cat carrier, etc., line it with newspaper and put an old hand towel (or something similar) in one corner of the box for the hoglet to use as a bed to snuggle into. Then fill a hot water bottle (or plastic pop bottle), with hot (not boiling) water and wrap the bottle in a small towel and place under the hoglet (or next to the hoglet if using a plastic bottle). The box you’re keeping him in will need to be big enough for the hoglet to be able to crawl away from the hot water bottle if he gets too hot.

While waiting for the hoglet to warm up, mash a little cat food with a little water and put some of the mixture in a jam jar lid to see if it will attempt to lap by itself (jam jar lids are ideal size for hoglets to use as feeding dishes).

If you let us know whereabouts in the UK you live, we can try and locate your nearest wildlife centre to help you.

N.B. It’s likely there could be more hoglets somewhere in your garden, so give your garden a thorough search over for anymore. You might even find their nest with other hoglets in it, and if you find mum in the nest (or find her resting nearby) then place the hoglet straight back into the nest with its siblings. If you find a nest with hoglets in it and they’re all making squeaking noises and appear distressed, but there’s no sign of mum, they’ll all need to be rescued and taken to a wildlife centre for hand rearing.

EDIT: Before offering mashed cat food, in the first instance offer it some rehydration fluid in a jam jar lid. Rehydration fluid can be made by mixing 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt with a litre of boiled water, then leave to cool down to room temperature before offering it to the hoglet.

[l3ladex]

We live near leanington spa (close to coventry and rugby)

EDIT: we left it outside because it was making squealing sound and we though that the mum come back for it but it stop squealing now so we've moved it inside and do everything you said

Thanks for the advice I'll keep you update

[Hedgehoggy]

Thanks for replying with that info.

Click on the link below and scroll down to Warwickshire section for a list of hedgehog carers and wildlife centres in your locality.

HelpWildlife.co.uk - Wildlife rescues in the West Midlands

Try ringing the numbers now. Most registered hedgehog carers will be available to take calls at this time of night and it sounds like the hoglet needs specialist care asap.

Good luck, and well done for helping the hoglet.

[GaryB]

Vale Wildlife will take it if necessary - 01386 882288

Gary

[l3ladex]

We took it to the vets a 2 days ago but I forgot to post it but anyway thank you for all your suggestion, I kinda have fun looking after it for awhile. Thanks again