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Harry the Hedgehog

ieccles651_nmUKAC-ieccles651_nmUKAC- Posts: 31
in Wildlife gardening
Just walked round the ranch and found young Harry scurrying about.
Is this another sign of global warming, I would have thought it was time the little chap was tucked up for his winter snooze.
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Our are usually out and about at least right into November unless we get an early cold snap. In mild winters they appear from time to time throughout the winter so we make sure there’s always some food out for them to make up the energy they use by not hibernating deeply. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ieccles651_nmUKAC-ieccles651_nmUKAC- Posts: 31
    The little rascal was helping himself to the cats breakfast.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Still comparatively mild so they should be around for a while yet.
    Apparently they don't hibernate like they used to, they can wake up during milder spells through the Winter. 
    The only time for concern is if you see them out during the day and they are moving sluggishly.
    Usually a hedgehog moving at speed and determination is a female with hoglets. There are very late births again this year, my local rescue is full to bursting with lots of our prickly acquaintances. 

    Loads of information here about Harry and his friends 🦔
    https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/

    Also another early reminder for those having a November 5th bonfire  - if the bonfire has been built several days before then please check inside the base for any sleeping hedgehogs before lighting it.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Ours are still around and feeding well because we haven't really had a frost yet. They do come out during the winter but it's more often the small ones who have a harder time hibernating. We haven't seen as many little hogs over the last two years though but a good population of larger hogs. 
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    Hedgehogs shouldn't be out at this time of day, especially so for young ones from autumn litters. It's usually a sign that something's very, very wrong. Best thing to do is contact your local hedgehog rescue for advice https://directory.helpwildlife.co.uk/?_ga=2.22137595.1381076948.1698398452-988197672.1698398452 

    Not all hedgehogs hibernate, some will venture out throughout the winter. They seem to have been hibernating since June round here. For several years I've had them in my garden every night without fail but haven't seen hide nor hair of any them since June 😞
  • ieccles651_nmUKAC-ieccles651_nmUKAC- Posts: 31
    thevictorian said:
    Ours are still around and feeding well because we haven't really had a frost yet. They do come out during the winter but it's more often the small ones who have a harder time hibernating. We haven't seen as many little hogs over the last two years though but a good population of larger hogs. 
    This chap was a youngster.
  • ieccles651_nmUKAC-ieccles651_nmUKAC- Posts: 31
    februarysgirl said:
    Hedgehogs shouldn't be out at this time of day, especially so for young ones from autumn litters. It's usually a sign that something's very, very wrong. Best thing to do is contact your local hedgehog rescue for advice https://directory.helpwildlife.co.uk/?_ga=2.22137595.1381076948.1698398452-988197672.1698398452 

    Not all hedgehogs hibernate, some will venture out throughout the winter. They seem to have been hibernating since June round here. For several years I've had them in my garden every night without fail but haven't seen hide nor hair of any them since June 😞
    Nothing wrong with this little chap, he was quite perky and alert, its the dozy cat that's missed its breakfast.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    If you can weigh him that’d be good … hedgehogs need to reach 600gms to be able to hibernate safely. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited October 2023
    If you see him again, see if you can weigh him as @Dovefromabove suggests (thick gloves required !).
    My local rescue is inundated with youngsters at the moment,  but to look at them you wouldn't think there was much wrong with them apart from being underweight. 
    A lot of the problems are caused by internal parasites.

    For some reason l pictured you out and about at around 5am when it's still pitch black. Was this in broad daylight  ?

    Edited to add, he may not be this small by the sounds of it, but a few more tips here.
    https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/hedgehogs/baby
  • ieccles651_nmUKAC-ieccles651_nmUKAC- Posts: 31
    No it was dark, I am an early riser unlike the cat.
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