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| HEDGEHOG INFORMATION AND ADVICE |
| I have found an injured / sick hedgehog, what should I do? |
Make sure the animal is secure. (Tip: put a bucket or box over the hedgehog or it may be gone when you get back to it!). Find a box or container and line it with newspaper or an old towel. Using a pair of gloves gently pick up the hedgehog and put it in the box and cover it loosely with a towel or torn newspaper. Put the box somewhere safe and out of direct sunlight (but please ensure the hedgehog is kept warm as an ill hedgehog cannot generate heat for itself). If there is room in the box, you may put in a small dish / saucer of water, but do not feed the hedgehog.
THEN CONTACT THE CENTRE IMMEDIATELY.
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| What if I see a hedgehog out during the day? |
Hedgehogs are nocturnal; they should not be out during the day. If you see a hedgehog in the open during the day it is sick and needs immediate help (even if it just appears to be sleeping on your lawn / patio).
IF YOU SEE A HEDGEHOG OUT DURING THE DAY, SECURE IT (SEE ABOVE), THEN CONTACT THE CENTRE IMMEDIATELY.
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| Don't hedgehogs have fleas? |
Hedgehogs can carry fleas HOWEVER they only carry their own variety of flea. The hedgehog variety of flea cannot survive on humans or other animals.
You or your pets cannot 'catch' fleas from hedgehogs.
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| Crusty looking growth on hedgehogs (Mange) |
Hedgehogs can be afflicted with mange. This is a crusty looking deposit on the hedgehog, often around the head / face and underside. It can appear that the hedgehog is going 'mouldy' or covered in dried mud. This is a reaction by the hedgehog to the parasitical mange mite. This condition will eventually kill the hedgehog as the encrustation restricts the hedgehog’s mobility. However, mange is a condition that is easily treated with medication.
It is important to spot and treat mange as early as possible. If you suspect a hedgehog might have mange, secure it, then contact the centre immediately.
The Effects of Mange**
**WARNING: You may find these images distressing
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| I have found a hedgehog that will not uncurl, is it dead? |
During the winter you may find completely rolled up hedgehogs that will not uncurl. They may appear to be dead but can actually be in deep hibernation.
If you find a hedgehog like this please contact the centre immediately.
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Hedgehogs are common visitors to local gardens. You may see them out in the evening looking for food on your lawn or patio.
Hedgehogs typically eat in order of preference:
- beetles
- caterpillars
- earthworms
- small mammals
- slugs and snails
- millipedes
- earwigs
- bees
- cranefly larvae
- other small insects
They have also been known to eat dead birds and birds eggs if they are on the ground.
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Yes! Please put out food for hedgehogs, but please note what you should and should not feed hedgehogs.
The centre recommends feeding hedgehogs the following:
- Whiskas Supermeat tinned cat food
- Broken Peanuts (the wild bird variety of peanuts NOT the salted human kind)
- Small sized Cat Biscuits (the centre uses Nutro cat biscuits)
Hedgehogs will also appreciate scraps of meat, scrambled egg and grated cheese.
DO NOT FEED HEDGEHOGS THE FOLLOWING
(these items will make them ill):
- Milk and / or bread
- Tinned cat / dog food with jelly or gravy
- Fish flavoured tinned cat food
Always ensure there is a shallow bowl of fresh water available for hedgehogs to drink.
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| How much does a hedgehog need to weigh to survive the winter? |
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A hedgehog needs to weigh at least 700 grams (about 1 & 1/2 lbs) to have a good chance of surviving the winter.
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| AND FINALLY: Please take care when driving! |
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Squashed hedgehogs are an all too common sight on the roads. A hedgehog will often curl up in to a ball as it senses danger, this unfortunately will not protect it from cars. Take care when driving, particularly at night. If you see a hedgehog curled up on the road stop and assist it across the road. (It is a good idea to carry a pair of gloves and a torch in your car).
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