Hedgehog

[skyplus]

When does a hedgehog hibernate? Found one in the middle of my garden yesterday and would have assumed it would have gone to a more sheltered spot. Lifted it into a wooden box lined with a tee shirt, and placed a piece of timber on top with room for air. What should I have done?

[janbee]

Any day now. The weather has been quite warm lately but when the temperatures drop, it'll hibernate until spring. You are SOOOO lucky to have a hedgehog in your garden.
If you want more info , contact Mrs Tiggywinkles website. They are very helpful.
Also, our own Waterboatman, who posts in the morning thread every day is a bit of an expert in hedgehogs and has a family come to visit him every night.
Good luck. xx

[janbee]

It probably already has a nest, and maybe a family, somewhere so make sure he/she can get out of the box if he/she wants

[woofgang]

I agree, give it a nice cosy box but set it on its side so he/she can leave if he/she wants to. They won't hibernate until the nights get colder...keep in mind too that hedgehogs all have fleas and many have ticks!

[237SJ]

It won`t hibernate until the weather turns colder which means it`s still awake, which means it needs to eat, which means it needs to get out of the box and can`t if you`ve put a piece of timber on the top.

[Chipchopper]

I agree, its quite normal for them to be active while the weather is still mild and its best to leave them to take care of themselves.
If however, you found the hedgehog during the daylight hours, then it may have a problem and expert advice should be sought from somewhere like St tiggy winkles, as mentioned earlier.

[Tuvok]

Mine disappeared at the star of October last year, this year he's still on the go - I have wildlife xameras and he went to his bed at 4.15am this morning.

He's due to get up in about 2 hours - but I've heard him eating his food in his house already!

If you find one during the day, thats when it should be rescued - at night its on its rounds.

Don't give it bread or milk - water and cat or dog food (not gravy).

[gingejbee]

I hope skyplus is reading/acting upon what people are saying...it's way too mild at the moment for hibernation.

[Chipchopper]

Just to add a little more to the good advice here already...
If you feel you want to leave a dish of milk out for it, please make sure you offer GOATS MILK and Not cows milk.