Hogs.

[Digit]

In the past I have bemoaned the lack of Hedgehogs locally, not having seen a single one in the 20 yrs that I have lived here.
I have broken my Duck! Out on my motor bike on the back lanes the other day I dodged around one, unfortunately a road kill, but the good news was that it was a youngster.

Roy.

[CharlieCreek]

Well not good news for the young hog, but in terms of litters being three to five hoglets yes there should be others around and hopefully not squished.

We have many people when they meet us saying they haven't seen hogs. However we have often picked up sick hogs from their area and roads very close to them. So sometimes not seeing doesn't mean that they aren't very close. But then again that is partly why they are nocturnal, so they can stay out of sight.

[Digit]

Whilst all that you say is correct of course I feel sure that with nearly 70 yrs of wildlife study behind me I believe that I would have at least noted some road kills, but not one in 21 yrs is I think significant. I live a few miles north of Cardigan in West Wales, have you had many reports of Hogs from this area?
As we are 'infested' (Duck!) with Foxes and Badgers, both Hog predators, I would wonder if that is the reason.
I ride a motor bike, despite my age, and do so because it is so much more useful along our lanes. I recently was able to observe a Peregrine with a Wood Pigeon on the ground, by pulling onto a narrow verge, though Buzzards flopping over hedges can be a bit of a hazard on occasion!

Roy.

[CharlieCreek]

I certainly wasn't intimating that they would be numerous. Hedgehog populations are in serious decline hence initiatives such as Hedgehog Street to try to do something about it.

Between pesticides, changes in land use and land management, property developments and badger territories becoming smaller with more sets in what would have been the realm of one set the outlook isn't good at all.

However they are still there and not always noticed, one of the problems in determining numbers really with nocturnal animals and hence populations tend to be extrapolated from number of road kills etc. Sadly (which is a strange thing to say), hedgehog road kills are becoming more and more scarce indicating the population decline.

That is why as a Ranger in my day job I try always to get initiatives to create habitat for all wild creatures and as a hedgehog rescuer the rest of my time I try to educate the public and care for sick and injured hedgehogs.

[Digit]

I agree. The subject of road kills is one that xexexexexexe me off. Once the population falls below a certain level there is less likelyhood of a kill so that it may well be correct to state, as I have seen, that 20% of Badgers die on the roads each year, but if the pop was for example, 1000, I doubt that they would travel so far or be at such risk.
But I am pleased that the kill I saw was a youngster, I just wish some of local boy racers would slow down on our lanes.

Roy.

[Philip Kempson]

Yong hedgehog,
I have reasently rescued a small hedgehog from a cat, It is in a cat carrier with food and water but I am worried for the chldren and other pets.
I looks clean but can they carry disieses?
If so what is my next move?
thank's Phill.

[Keith D]

Originally Posted by Philip Kempson

Yong hedgehog,
I have reasently rescued a small hedgehog from a cat, It is in a cat carrier with food and water but I am worried for the chldren and other pets.
I looks clean but can they carry disieses?
If so what is my next move?
thank's Phill.

Firstly no it does not carry desease
not sure what small is a normal size hedgehog is around 800 gamms plus

if its small by that standard it may well need to be checked and taken care
of by a hedgehog carer

heres a list of a good few scroll thru and see what you can find in your area

Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue -

if nothing there phone the BHPS which is third one down from the top
they will advise

anymore please ask

k/

[CharlieCreek]

Hi Philip.

If it is possible that the cat may have clawed or tried to bite it (not normal for cats in terms of hogs) then it need to be seen by a vet or picked up by a rescuer. Puncture wounds cause infections and will need to be treated.

As you have the hog contacting a rescuer is your best bet. The BHPS have a list on the site and if you ring them they carry a much longer list than advertised on the site.

An adult hog will be anywhere between 800 grams and 1kg normally. There are lots of smaller juveniles around at the moment which can be anywhere between 150 and 600 grams.

Yes like all wildlife hedgehogs do carry zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be transmitted across species including humans. It is fairly rare for transmission but it still does happen. The main ones encountered are ringworm and salmonella.

Don't let this put you off helping out, we handle many many hedgehogs with conditions far more serious such as mange and it comes down to good hygiene.

Never handle the hedgehog without gloves on and always wash your hands and lower part of your arms well after handling the hedgehog. The children can look at the hog but shouldn't really handle it. Pets should be kept away as they will stress the hedgehog (stress is a big killer for a hedgehog). Only handle the hedgehog when necessary. Any temporary bedding used bag and bin when not needed. When the hedgehog is handed over or released wash the carrier out well with hot water and disinfectant a couple of times.

Hope this helps.

Charlie

[dampflippers]

Hi Philip,
I hope you found a carer to speak to.
If not, do it now, and keep ringing around until you actually speak to someone.
It will help the carer if you can weigh it: wear gardening gloves and weigh in grams if poss.
Don't feed it milk.