Hedgehogs in February by Kay Bullen (BHPS)

Surprisingly there may still be a few hedgehogs around this month especially where people put out food regularly. This extra food allows the smaller hedgehogs to decide when they are ready to hibernate rather than be forced into a hibernation because of lack of food. However, some of the smaller hedgehogs will not have sufficient fat stored to allow them to even contemplate hibernation and the extra food is a real-life saver for them.

Tidying the garden

Do take care when tidying the garden, piles of leaves and compost heaps may well be providing sanctuary for hibernating hedgehogs.  Some hedgehogs hibernate in pampas grass so burning the grass to remove the dead leaves can be very dangerous for them, indeed any burning in the garden should be undertaken with caution.

What to do if you find a hedgehog 

If you should find a hedgehog out in the day, particularly if it is wobbling or has fallen asleep in the open, this is some basic first aid for it. It needs to go into a high-sided box, use a piece of towel or similar to pick it up without getting prickled and bring the box indoors. Cover a hot water bottle with a towel (use warm/hot water so as not to scald the hedgehog but to provide a nice gentle heat) and place the hedgehog on this leaving the cloth you that you used to pick it up covering it. It can have some meat-based dog or cat food and a dish of water.  Don’t forget to keep changing the water in the bottle as if allowed to go cold it will do more harm than good. If you don’t have a hot water bottle use a plastic milk carton or drinks bottle and loosely wrap a towel around the hedgehog and bottle to keep them together, remember this will lose heat more quickly than a hot water bottle so keep changing the water or swapping the bottles. Make sure the water isn’t hot enough to damage a plastic bottle, but warm enough to offer some heat for the hedgehog.

Where to find help 

If you are concerned about any hedgehogs you should contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, they can give general advice and perhaps details of a local hedgehog rehabilitator that you can contact.  Contact them on 01584 890801 or for general advice visit their website (follow link above). 

How To Help Us Help Hedgehogs

I'm often asked by people who are passionate about hedgehogs how they can help us. Apart from spreading the word and making gardens a hedgehog haven there are a number of ways supporters can support our work and they are:

Method one: 
Do your online shopping via The Giving Machine and we receive a commission on all your purchases. It's free to join, they have a free to download app (so you won't forget to shop via their website) and now partner with over 1,500 different retailers, including many of the big chains.

Method two:
Buy something from our Amazon Wishlist by clicking on this link. An address is now linked to the Wishlist, so you shouldn't be asked for one. However if you are just email me at lynne@hertshogline.com and I'll provide an address.   

Method three:
Help us cover our vet bills by adding credit to the hedgehogs account at one of the vets below:

• A120 Medivet just outside Little Hadham - click here for their contact details
• Bishop's Stortford Vets on Rye Street - click here for their contact details

Method four:

Hold a fund raising event e.g. tea party, sell items on a stall, bring and buy sale etc. Then either give one of the vets above a call or purchase something from our Wishlist.   

THANK YOU!

Hedgehogs In October - by BHPS

Hedgehogs are trying to build up their weight for hibernation. They usually hibernate because the cold weather means there is less natural food around. Some may wake during hibernation, sometimes it may only be to change position or it may be to forage for food.

The best way to check whether a nest box is being used is to place a small screwed up piece of paper in the entrance during the day. When the hedgehog emerges the paper will be pushed out and you will know something has left the nest box.

You can help them to put on weight by either giving them a complete hedgehog food like Spike's Dinner or they can have mashed up, meat based dog or cat food mixed with a little cereal (Weetabix, bran or wholemeal bread) to give it some bulk. They can also have meat based cat biscuits, as these are good for the teeth. They will need a dish of water too, especially if dry biscuits are given.

When feeding hedgehogs you could make a feeding station - eg use either a
plastic mushroom box or child’s toy box or similar and cut a 13cm x 13cm (5”x5”)
hole in one of the short sides. Place this over the food, like a tunnel, and the hedgehog can get through the hole to the food but it keeps the cats out. A brick on top should stop the box being pushed aside. Another brick or large stone placed 13cm (5”) from the entrance should stop a cat lying down and hooking the food out with its paw! Another suggestion is to use a paving slab on some bricks (placed on their sides), leave a 5" gap between 2 of the bricks for an entrance. Always make sure there is a little food left in the mornings - if not, you are not feeding them enough.

When feeding in the winter a lot of food could be wasted. It may be best to offer dry food and provide plenty of water. As a trial, before winter sets in, provide one of the dishes of dry food with a saucer placed over it to protect the food. See whether your hedgehogs realise that by pushing the saucer off they will get at the food. This can be useful in the winter to protect/preserve the food and perhaps keep the water from freezing. By protecting the food in this way you should stop smaller creatures eg mice from getting at the uneaten food.

If you find a sick or injured hedgehog contact the BritishHedgehog Preservation Society they can give general advice and perhaps details of a local hedgehog rehabilitator you can contact.  Their phone number is 01584 890801. For information about helping hedgehogs at this time of year visit the BHPS website.

Hedgehogs in November - British Hedgehog Preservation Society

November is highly significant for our hedgehogs for two reasons. The first is Bonfire night (week) and the other is for hibernation, with many going into hibernation around mid-November.

November 5^th comes first so please do take extra care when checking bonfires. It is far better to collect the materials for the fire and only put them into place on the day it is to be lit. Those built before the day can attract hedgehogs, so should be inspected before lighting. If possible lift the materials around the bottom edge of the pile using a broom handle or similar and check for extra piles of leaves or you may even see the hedgehog itself. A disturbed hedgehog may also make a hissing sound (like a snake) to try to intimidate those disturbing it.  Start by lighting one side of the bonfire and allow the quiet side, i.e. the side with the least people standing around, to remain unburnt for a few minutes as this may allow an escape route for any missed hedgehogs.

If you find a hedgehog put it in a high sided box with some meat based cat food and a towel to snuggle under. Put it in a quiet place and once the noise etc. has died down release the hedgehog with its dish of food. However if the hedgehog is on the small side and you are able to weigh please weigh and if under 600 grams contact your local hedgehog carer for advice.

  

Depending on the weather and how far north you are will depend on when those larger hedgehogs will go into hibernation. Mid November is about the time many will choose. Those that do not hibernate (autumn juveniles), particularly when the weather turns colder will need extra help. 

Regular visitors should be able to cope provided extra food is always put out every evening.  Weighing them regularly should ensure there is a weight gain. If there is a problem e.g. out in the day or there is only a small weight gain or it is still considered too small to hibernate and the weather is closing in then contact your local hedgehog carer of the the BHPS for details of a local hedgehog rehabilitator. In addition those wandering without a regular supply of food and especially when there are frosts expected will struggle to find any natural food, so they too will need to be rescued. So if you find a hedgehog you've not seen around before weigh it and call for advice.

If you are concerned about any hedgehog, or you see one out in the day, contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801 (if you can weigh the hedgehog first that is always helpful, but do use gloves when you handle them). For more information about hedgehogs and how to help them, including a leaflet on autumn juveniles visit the BHPS website.