Hedgehogs, anybody know much about them?

Paradigm

The dogs dragged one out of some bushes yesterday & rather than leave it lying on the grass, I brought it home.... it's not injured BTW

I put it in a large box, in the garage, I use for storing garden stuff with some cat food & water, hoping to release it tonight.

I've just been to look & it's got into a hessian sack with compost & lily bulbs wrapped in newspaper & burrowed to the middle.... seems to be fast asleep/hibernating!

It's pretty cold here & I'm worried that letting him go isn't the best idea... any suggestions?

McKneff

Put him back exactly where youre dog dragged him from. Please.

He would have chosen to be in the hedge, its his natural habitat.

Dont mess with nature, it has a habit of biting back.

RadoJo

I would take it to a local animal shelter or similar - often if they aren't hibernating by now, they won't be able to and will need to be 'overwintered' somewhere. Ironically, if they don't hibernate, they need to be kept quite warm and will need to stay indoors until spring, so unless you want a long term pet (and be aware, they REALLY stink) you might be better off finding somewhere where they will be able to look after it for the next few months. They are an endangered species though, so you will be helping the survival of the species which should make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside...!

Paradigm

McKneff wrote: »

Put him back exactly where youre dog dragged him from. Please.

He would have chosen to be in the hedge, its his natural habitat.

Dont mess with nature, it has a habit of biting back.

I totally agree with what you say but it's very small, possibly this years young & if my dogs found it then so will others..... or worse!

The animal shelter thing looks a good idea but if it's actually hibernating will moving it do some harm?

McKneff

Its parents will be looking for it exactly where youre dog dug it out.
If you put it back they will find it naturally. By smell and instinct

I know you think you are helping but you really arent, I promise you it will be okay.

Padstow

There is a list of hedgehog carers. http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/carers.htm
Even the carers lose a lot of hedgehogs as when small are very difficult to keep alive. Weigh him if you can before phoning them, and good luck.

Padstow

McKneff wrote: »

Its parents will be looking for it exactly where youre dog dug it out.
If you put it back they will find it naturally. By smell and instinct

I know you think you are helping but you really arent, I promise you it will be okay.

That relates to birds, not hedgehogs and if it's underweight, eg late born, it will have no chance of survival.
Paradigm said it was small and if below 22 ounces won't stand a chance out there now, with the weather forecast for next weekend. This is why I suggested weighing him before contacting rescue as his weight is crucial to survival.

Paradigm

McKneff wrote: »

Its parents will be looking for it exactly where youre dog dug it out.
If you put it back they will find it naturally. By smell and instinct

It's not a baby, just not very big. I doubt it's seen it's parents for some months!

McKneff wrote: »

I know you think you are helping but you really arent, I promise you it will be okay.

You may well be right & I'm not helping but leaving it where it was wasn't a good move, like I said if my dogs found it so would something much worse!

I'll fone a hedgehoggy place tomorrow.

Mojisola

I wouldn't panic about it. We've got hedgehogs still active in our garden. It hasn't really been cold enough for them to go into deep hibernation yet.

If it weighs 1lb/450g or more, it will be quite happy out in the garden. If it's lighter than that, it will need some help to build up strength to get through the winter. There's some good info on here - https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/FAQS/Aut.htm

Paradigm

Padstow wrote: »

That relates to birds, not hedgehogs and if it's underweight, eg late born, it will have no chance of survival.
Paradigm said it was small and if below 22 ounces won't stand a chance out there now, with the weather forecast for next weekend. This is why I suggested weighing him before contacting rescue as his weight is crucial to survival.

I don't know how much he weighs & I don't really want to disturb him just in case... just had another look & he's stil snuggled into the newspaper.

I'd say he's roughly half the size of an adult!

Paradigm

Mojisola wrote: »

If it weighs 1lb/450g or more, it will be quite happy out in the garden. If it's lighter than that, it will need some help to build up strength to get through the winter. There's some good info on here - www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/FAQS/Aut.htm

I don't think he weighs anywhere near a pound.Thats a guess BTW