Every autumn, a tense drama takes place in our gardens and parks as young Hedgehogs race against time to double their weight to survive the winter.
These “autumn juveniles”, those born at the end of the summer, must increase their weight from about 280gm at 8 weeks of age when they leave their mothers, to at least 600gm. The stakes are very high and if they don’t make that weight, they may still hibernate in mid-December or early January without their required fat reserves. This can cause them to freeze to death or wake up hungry to ultimately starve as their natural foods of earthworms, caterpillars, and beetles aren’t available.
How you can help Hedgehogs have a successful hibernation?
Start by making your gardens or allotments more hedgehog-friendly. One of the best steps is to make sure your green areas are not enclosed by concrete or fences. Hedgehogs roam several miles a night to find food and mates. A small 13cm square hole in your fence will make a big difference, allowing access to roam freely to find the range and quantity of food they need. The Hedgehog Street or EWG’s Hedgehog Highway project offer clear information on this.
Hedgehogs nest under bushes or woodpiles, in long grass or sometimes in a human-made hiding place like under a BBQ tarp, a black bin bag, loose decking or an accessible shed. If you uncover a nest, just calmly cover it back up. Also, don’t forget, if you are planning a bonfire, check your pile before lighting! You could even make your own purpose-built Hedgehog home, or buy a ready-made one.
Put out wet, meat-based tinned cat or dog food and water in flat bowls or a saucer. Hedgehogs cannot drink from deep bowls as their long noses get in the way! Feeding Hedgehogs bread, and particularly milk is an old wives’ tale; they cannot digest milk and it can be fatal for them. Keep an eye out, all year round, for any Hedgehog out during the day that is not heading quickly for a fixed destination as it could be in distress.
What is an underweight Hedgehog?
In December if you see a Hedgehog that’s smaller than an average melon, it’s time to either put on a pair of gloves to weigh it yourself or email us. If weighing yourself, place the Hedgehog on your kitchen scales using a bowl you don’t use for your food.
Weight over 600g – It will probably hibernate at some point and make it through the winter. During hibernation, a Hedgehog’s heart rate will reduce from 190 beats per minute to just 20 as it preserves its body reserves during deep sleep. If you find a Hedgehog that looks dead during winter, it is probably hibernating, so let it be and don’t uncover the hibernation nest. But if you find out out in the open, it needs help.
Weight between 450g and 600g – This will need a little help with a feeding station. If your garden is open, natural, and not secluded with some wild patches and you can commit to nightly feeding until it hibernates, then do so. Use a feeding station with an entrance too small for cats or foxes. Avoid taking Hedgehogs indoors, as this increases their stress levels.
Weight under 450g – With weight this low it is unlikely to survive the winter, even if food is provided. Contact us for our expert advice. We’ll come and assess the needs of the Hedgehog and may take it in for expert winter fostering, as Hedgehogs can deteriorate very quickly.
So, there’s plenty we can do to help our Hedgehogs make it through the winter and ensure a happy ending to this annual garden-based drama.
If in doubt about any Hedgehog wellness-related matter, don’t hesitate to email us at help@ealinghedgehogfriends.com. Our group of trained volunteers will advise and guide you through any help we can give.
Ealing Hedgehog Friends is a local rescue group founded in March 2023 that now has 20 trained Hedgehog fosterers and is still building up capacities. There are plenty of roles whatever your skills as we also need drivers, fundraisers, and more rescue volunteers. We also need support from local vets who feel passionate about Hedgehogs and want to partner with us. If you are interested in helping local Hedgehogs or need advice, go to our website or join our Facebook group.
