Hedgehog grunting??

[fluffiefledgling]

I have been lucky enough to get hedgehogs in my back garden and last night i could here a strange grunting or kind of snorting sound coming from the garden,on investigating what it could be i could see 2 hedgehogs,i didnt disturb them as i watched from my bedroom window.They both moved off in opposite directions.It was a very strange noise and wondered if anyone knew why they would make this sound?

[Adam Cheeseman]

They are very noisy when mating and this probably what you heard.

Cheers,

Adam

[CharlieCreek]

They will huff and 'grunt' when mating and also when they have 'disagreements' with other hogs (often happens over food). They will also huff when they feel threatened.

[fredbloggs]

They are fond of slugs/snails etc. Make a disgusting noise when they tuck in. Not called "hogs" for nuthin?

Fred

[fredbloggs]

Fortunate indeed. Organic slug control!! Make sure you keep them and i would build a hibernation hut right now. As a child my tortoise house provided winter accommodation for a massive hog whilst timmy slept in a box in the shed.

Fred

[fluffiefledgling]

Its great isnt it,we are littered with their poo but thats a small price to pay to have them in our garden.I have an old handmade rabbit box which we shall try,i'm hoping they will use it this winter.

[Keith D]

Originally Posted by fluffiefledgling

I have been lucky enough to get hedgehogs in my back garden and last night i could here a strange grunting or kind of snorting sound coming from the garden,on investigating what it could be i could see 2 hedgehogs,i didnt disturb them as i watched from my bedroom window.They both moved off in opposite directions.It was a very strange noise and wondered if anyone knew why they would make this sound?

we see a lot of this on our night camera here
they will be nose to nose moving back and forward

the male is asking and the female is saying no is whats going on
hence the nose to nose,she keeps her rear end as far away as possible

K/

[Keith D]

Originally Posted by fredbloggs

They are fond of slugs/snails etc. Make a disgusting noise when they tuck in. Not called "hogs" for nuthin?

Fred

Er no sorry they dont eat many slugs if any at all
seen them often walk straight passed them
when our patio is wet and the slugs are on the march
snails they will crack open and eat

its actually best for them never to eat slugs as its
a cause for lungworm found in them

more here :-

Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue - Feeding Hedgehogs

scroll down

cheers

K/

[The Woodman]

Interesting link, Keith.

Does anyone know why fish flavoured food should not be given to hedgehogs?

They will eat fish readily, I have seen them strip fish to the bone, leaving only skin and bone. Admittedly, I first saw this happened when one was caught in a mink trap and ate the brown trout bait.

[CharlieCreek]

Quite right, Slugs are a last resort on the food menu for hogs, things like beetles being at the top of the list.

They contract lungworm from slugs and this is why in the autumn so many come in with lungworm because slugs are one of the few things left around to eat. It is a horrible condition as it turns into pneumonia and it can be a real battle to cure especially in autumn juveniles.

In terms of fish flavoured food for hogs, there is nothing wrong with it at all. The only reason it is not normally recommended is because many won't eat it as it isn't a flavour they normally come across.