I Just Saw A Hedgehog Outside...

[pastafreak]

Isn't it a bit cold/wet for them now?

[Jeza]

I love hedgehogs though can't remember when I last saw one that was not flat on the road. Sorry for that.

[Ken4155]

They are hardy creatures. Whatever you do, do not fall soft and bring it indoors to warm it up. Not unless you want to be infested with fleas. And i speak from experience having put one in a friends bed as a practical joke whilst in the army.

[nungate]

Yes they should be in hibernation just now. There's no food around, for them just now. Have you any odd bits of cat food you could put out? I used to put out cat food for the hedgehogs that visit my garden but that wasn't at this time of year - no slugs etc. around for them just now Or you could try and contact St Tiggywinkle's Hedgehog sanctuary for advice - I'm sure they would be online

[pastafreak]

Oh,I have no intention of picking it up. I just hope it doesn't decide to cross the road. I've sometimes seen them on the lawn in front of my building...but only in the warmer months.
This may be the same one.

[pastafreak]

@ nungate...it was snuffling in wet soil that may be full of earthworms. Do they eat them?

[Ann]

Yes definitely Pasta. Is it a small one or a biggie? My friend runs a hedgehog sanctuary and people are taking them to her they are waking too early as it is so mild. If we get a cold snap unfortunately they won't survive, they will be so hungry. You could try putting out dogfood (not fish based) and plain water (not milk - their digestions can't tolerate it) and a bit of muesli or even a few peanuts, it will be starving hungry after waking from hibernation. Dog food is the best bet or cat food as long as it is mashed up and not fish based. If you can catch it put it in a box with shredded newspaper to keep it warm and take to an animal rescue tomorrow (ring first) Good luck.

[Ann]

//Not unless you want to be infested with fleas.//
Ken, the kind of fleas hedgehogs have, are not attracted to humans.

[Maydup]

They hibernate as a last resort when they either run out of food or when the temperatures become very low. At the moment its simply not cold enough and yours is obviously finding something to eat so nothing to worry about.

More info here if you'd like to read about hibernation and other hedgehog habits.

http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/images/PDF/PDF%20Fact%20Sheets/Hedgehog%20Hibernation%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

[nungate]

They do eat earthworms, but having read Ann's post I agree with her, it is too early for them to be about and any waking early will need a bit of help and/or rescued

[Ann]

//that may be full of earthworms. Do they eat them?//
Yes Pasta, you could dig over some soil for them ...... they also love sunflower hearts which fall from the bird feeders.

[Ken4155]

Ann; if we had known that at the time, we would have left the hedgehog in the guy's bed. As soon as we saw the fleas, we got rid.

[Maydup]

No it won't have hibernated, its too mild. If it needs to it will, but its not essential. They only do it to escape the cold and heavy frosts; if and when the winter comes it will make its nest and dive in otherwise its happier staying awake.

Wish we had the same choice!

[pastafreak]

Well...I went across the street with a not of cat food....the little critter was gone. I feel better reading these posts...I was quite worried when I saw it. I know they will also get into rubbish.

[pastafreak]

A 'bit' of cat food...

[Georgiesmum]

You can also buy tins of hedgehog food in pet shops.