Albino Hedgehog

[butterflybird]

Hello everyone
I am delighted to have found this site as I need some help on what should I do with the albino hedgehog that came into my garden last night. At the time I did nothing then when it went away I felt a bit guilty and wondered if I should have caught it and contacted a hedgehog sanctuary. It really is a true albino and I was so delighted, but held back my excitement as I feel we should always leave wild animals alone. But now I am not sure whether this should have been an exception. Do you think I should put a hedgehog home in the garden.

[htcdude]

Wow I've not seen an albino hedgehog before! Any chance you could post some pics?? Sorry I'm not sure what to advise

Nige

[artdemole]

A small albino hedgehog care sheet can be found on ehow.com

[crazyjoe123]

If this is a wild European hedgehog which happens to be albino then it should be left alone like any other hedgehog. Albino hedgehog care sheets? I assume you are confusing this with an exotic species of pet hedgehog. As far as I am aware it doesn not break the the law to take a wild hog into captivity (I may be wrong and worth checking) but is wholly unethical unless injured. Just enjoy the quirky visitor you have, get some photos and pleasure from it. A wild animal belongs in the wild.

[Hedera]

You could always contact Tiggywinkles, who have cared for albinos and other variants, for advice. Keep an eye out for magpies, as it would be very visible and prone to attack from them. Put some food and water in a sensible place and it will enjoy it.

[Meta menardi]

If you have hedgies of any description in the garden, providing shelter for them seems a good idea. I get the impression, from my own experience and from what others say, that they are quite territorial, so a good garden can only help. I think any direct interference could cause problems down the line, you don't want to breed a line of rampant stud albino hoggs, any more than than Queen Victoria wanted to spread hemophilia into the gene pool of the royal houses of Europe.

[butterflybird]

Thank you everyone for your helpful comments. I will be putting a hedgehog house in the garden and letting nature take its course. I have photos which are on my phone and have tried to upload them but seem to be having problems. Possibly because I am not very good at these things but I will do it.

[CharlieCreek]

There are two possibilities here,

One it is an albino European Hedgehog or secondly it could be one of the exotics which are kept as pets and it could have been abandoned.

In either case it will need to be caught and rescued.

If an exotic it will die in the wild as it needs quite high temperatures and specialist care.

If a native European Hedgehog it will easily be predated as it will stick out like a sore thumb with its colouration. So albinos when spotted are always rescued.

Please, look out for it, catch it and put it into a high sided box with something like a towel to hide under. Leave some water in the box and place it somewhere quiet and dark. Then contact a local hedgehog rescue centre or wildlife hospital. The BHPS (British Hedgehog Preservation Society) carry a list of carers if you call them 01584 890801, or search on the internet for hedgehog rescue in your county.

If you have issues finding someone then you can also call us, (contact number on the website link below) and we will check our records for any rescue centres in your area.

[CharlieCreek]

Originally Posted by crazyjoe123

As far as I am aware it doesn not break the the law to take a wild hog into captivity

It is against the law to keep any wild animal in captivity unless it is injured or cannot survive in the wild.

We keep stringent records to show why hedgehogs are in with us and along with this you have to show that there is a good chance of rehabilitating the animal and that it needed to be rescued in the first place. The rehabilitation is either to a state where it can be released, or in the case of a disabled animal that it can have a life in a suitable enclosure where it will not suffer or decline and will be able to function near as to normal and that it will be provided for in as natural as setting as possible. Otherwise the animal has to be humanely euthanized without delay.

Capturing and passing on to a rescue centre a hedgehog such as the albino comes under the above.

[galanthophile]

I hope you get to enjoy this unusual creature. If you provide what it needs it might visit quite frequently. Thanks for sharing your story.