He/she does look on the small side @Firecracker. Just keep an eye out, if he starts appearing any earlier, or during any cold weather, have you got a hedgehog/wildlife rescue nearby?
Can you try picking him up in an old towel (or even thick rubber gloves) and weigh him. I believe s/he should weigh 600-650g. He does look very small. It is worth checking he isn’t sniffly with a runny nose. If he is he could be struggling with a lung infection. An urgent call to a hedgehog sanctuary might be required. Hope he will be ok.
@Firecracker,..well captured image,..nice to see that Hedgehog out and about.
Philip
Is it? I would say it might indicate a problem. I’d try to check it’s weight to see if it needs feeding up at a rescue centre ... it looks a bit small to cope with the really cold weather we have forecast.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Hard to know if there is a problem unless one gets it checked by the Vet,..i would leave well enough alone as its eating,..Males tend to be larger than the Sow,..though not always,..the same applies as to the Sow liking to live in small walled gardens for safety whereas the Male takes more risks and wanders into large open gardens in order to look for Sows,..which also is not always the case,..so very little definite habits from Hedgehogs,..one can vouch for hibernation but in the past few years more and more Hedgehogs are appearing early from hibernation,..mine have put in an appearance in the past week though only after sunset.
Not a recent image below,..they seemed to be disputing something.
This may be of some help https://thehedgehog.co.uk/autumn-juveniles/ My MIL had a small hedgehog coming out mid afternoon, he was eating, but underweight. We took him to the local rescue where he was found to have internal parasites, and sadly he died the next day. It is very difficult sometimes to know what to do for the best, but l would say even if you only have the tiniest doubt at the back of your mind, it would be best to act on it. I know not everyone is lucky enough to have a hedgehog or wildlife rescue nearby, but they will happy to advise by phone.
Well now what do I do !!! Out to bring in the washing and saw movement, the hog has has attracted a rat and mouse!!! No more food in there then I suppose. Now what?
I think @Hostafan1 had the same problem with rats at one time? This is a problem that is not easy to solve, l have had a mouse which to be honest l am not that bothered about, but rats are a different matter. You could try a feeding station, the mouse will still get in, but could be more difficult for Ratty.
It's odd as when I checked that morning the food was untouched, even some on the path was still there (hubby's spilt some), so the dish next to the water was brought in so the birds wouldn't eat it.
Posts
Philip
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Not a recent image below,..they seemed to be disputing something.
Philip
https://thehedgehog.co.uk/autumn-juveniles/
My MIL had a small hedgehog coming out mid afternoon, he was eating, but underweight. We took him to the local rescue where he was found to have internal parasites, and sadly he died the next day. It is very difficult sometimes to know what to do for the best, but l would say even if you only have the tiniest doubt at the back of your mind, it would be best to act on it. I know not everyone is lucky enough to have a hedgehog or wildlife rescue nearby, but they will happy to advise by phone.
This is a problem that is not easy to solve, l have had a mouse which to be honest l am not that bothered about, but rats are a different matter. You could try a feeding station, the mouse will still get in, but could be more difficult for Ratty.