Hedgehog activity

[dogsbody]

For the last two nights my garden hedgehog visitor has been active as evidenced by the poo near the ground feeder. Guess it is because the temperature is so warm.

Have moved the wildlife camera to see if I can grab a pic.

[Nicos]

Oh gosh yes...it'd be lovely to see piccies of hedgehogs!

Lucky you!!!!!

[Bren In Pots]

There's plenty of slug about so hopefully we'll see pictures.

[marchogaeth]

Sorry to be the damp squib but, it could be awake because it wasn't heavy enough going into hibernation and has woken up to try and feed itself up. Hedgepigs need to be at least 600g and preferably 750g going into hibernation. (Animals that hibernated need to do so for their bodies health so waking up much too soon is not good for them - sorry no reference to hand.) If possible catch your hedgehog and weigh it, if it is light contact your local hedgehog hospital OR maybe?. Our local Hogspital say that if you find them awake now take them in if at all possible whatever they weigh.

At the very least feed it. The trouble is, if it gets enough food to feel full and it goes back to sleep it could still die if it's too light.

[dogsbody]

Thanks, you are correct but I have seen previous pics and followed it down the drive in the car and it is HUGE so no worries there this time.

[Knight of Albion]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing. It's far too early for a hedgehog to wake from hibernation.

I've not kept abreast of the weather in Lincolnshire, but I doubt you've had the temperatures & sunshine to fool a hedgehog into thinking its spring.

I'm a bit more upbeat about it's chances of survival though. It's not been a hard winter. A few hearty meals will help keep him ticking over till spring really does arrive.

[brownfingers]

I've noticed a lot of hedgepig turds in the garden recently too. Not seen a hedgepig though.

[Kirk]

Would say something is wrong, it is too cold for them and if a good size it should be in hibernation. Suppose it could have been disturbed and wandered around looking for another suitable site, but that other then being of insufficent weight is all I can think of.

[dogsbody]

A couple of links re hibernating hedgehogs suggest they can become active during the winter (slightly at odds as to why).

My wildlife camera didn't capture any pics of mine and the scat stopped appearing so s/he is back in bed again.

Hibernation � Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue

http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/ima...ct%20Sheet.pdf