Posted on October 3, 2009 - by Denise

Help the hedgehogs!

Western Hedgehog

We all know that a very important activity before Bonfire Night is to check beneath the stack of wood for hibernating hedgehogs, but we could also really help them this month in another way. That is to supplement their diet to ensure they reach their desired hibernation weight of 600g. They will hibernate at lower weights, but will have a much reduced chance of survival.

As with many humans, some hedgehogs have a lactose intolerance, which means that milk could cause them digestive problems. Therefore, the traditional idea of feeding them bread soaked in milk is not ideal. What hedgehogs will love though, is some cat or dog food, together with a saucer of water.

Hedgehogs are creatures of habit, so if you see them in your garden at a particular time, you can be assured that they are likely to return to your garden at a similar time every day, although it will become gradually earlier as the days shorten. They emerge after the darkness sets in. It’s best to already have the food in place by the time they are due to arrive at your garden, so they are not scared away by human presence.

One of the problems with feeding cat food or dog food to hedgehogs is that cats may eat it instead! It would be great, therefore, and very rewarding, if you were able to put your dish of food in a place that you can observe from inside the house, and chase off any cats if necessary! Another idea is to place a plastic box over the food, with an archway big enough to fit a hedgehog on one side (sand the edges if cutting them leaves them sharp).

Then, of course, other ways we can help make sure they have somewhere safe to hibernate is to leave piles of leaves and wood in the corners of our garden, away from pets and people and to try to leave some leaves on the ground, so they can build themselves a comfortable nest. Hedgehogs will come out of hibernation occasionally to get a drink or a quick snack. If you see a hedgehog in the depths of winter during the night, it is fine to leave them and maybe provide them with a saucer of water and some food to help them stock up their energy reserves. The only time we should worry about them enough to handle and move them is if we see them during the day time, particularly if their reactions to us are slow.

If you do have any concerns about a hedgehog, contact the Prickly Ball Farm or the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

To see the Wild About Devon Western Hedgehog Fact File, click here.