It’s mid-March and the time is coming when hedgehogs leave hibernation. Hedgehogs hibernate around 5 months over the cold winter and leave it sometime in between the beginning of March and the middle of April. Temperatures being constantly above 10°C and higher light intensity are a requirement for them to leave their nest and start roaming. Chances are that with more hedgehogs around, there will also be a higher possibility of finding a hedgehog that needs help. So, before we dive into how you can help a hedgehog, we need to make sure the hedgehog actually needs your help.
The signs are quite easy to recognise. If a hedgehog is lethargic, lies on the ground, or just does not move, they need your help, because even when it gets sunnier, hedgehogs do not sunbathe. When there are a lot of flies around a hedgehog, or they are obviously injured you can be their knight in shining armour. The same goes for when they are trapped, either in a net or in a pond. If you see a hedgehog wobble while they walk, chances are high that something is wrong. Hoglets being outside in the day without an adult or squawking also need your help. Make sure to find all of them though! A hedgehog simply being out during the day does not have to be a sign that they need help. They could be looking for nesting, seeking out a safe space, or taking a break from their babies (don’t we all sometimes?).
When the hedgehog you saw shows any of the signs above, please help them!
Pick the hedgehog up with a towel or while wearing gardening gloves (they are spiky!) and put them into a cardboard or plastic box inside, away from flies. Keep them in a quiet room, where they do not get disturbed by pets or children, because they could frighten the hedgehog, and don’t look after them more often than necessary. You can also place a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel in the box and set the hedgehog on top of it. To keep the warmth inside, you can drape a towel on top of the hedgehog, but make sure they can move away from the bottle. You can also try offering the hedgehop water and small amounts of hedgehog food or meaty cat or dog food, but don’t force them to eat. Don’t give the hedgehog milk or bread! They are lactose intolerant, so drinking milk can worsen their situation and bread just has a very low nutritional value, which will not help them. Make sure that if you find a hoglet or small hedgehog to check the surrounding area to see if other hedgehogs are also in trouble.
Then call the British hedgehog preservation society or your local hedgehog rescue volunteers. You can also go directly to the rescue if you have their contact details, but make sure to follow Covid-19 rules in your area!
Thank you for being a hedgehog rescuer!
Contact details of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society:
Tel: 01584 890 801
Address: Hedgehog House, Dhustone, Ludlow, Shropshire. SY8 3PL
Other rescue volunteers in your area can easily be found on the internet.