Happy weekend to you all.
The mod team here at CasualUK have noticed a lot of focus regarding hedgehogs. This is a good thing and we feel like raising awareness to protect the future and welfare of one of our cutest little native creatures is something we should all be doing.
So please, come on in and share your pictures of what you've been doing to help the little critters, give advice about how we can look after them and boast about what you've been doing because you deserve it, you beautiful person.
*This post is sponsored by our new hedgehog friend, Mr Sparkles
by Breakwaterbot
7 comments
Mr Sparkles looks fantastic.
love these creatures
Please please please, do not leave pumpkins out as they can be very toxic to the little things
Yay!!! This is great. This sub has millions of visitors, if information like this could be spread, think of the positive impact!
The biggest threat to hedgehogs is sadly vehicles. Driving carefully around dusk and at night is the best thing you can do.
If you spot a hedgehog in the road, stop (if safe to do so) and move it safely to the side. If you are able then call a local wildlife rescue.
Don’t let them get access to things like pumpkins or bird seed. If you are going to intentionally feed the hedgehogs then choose one of the recommended kitten foods. Avoid most of the food labelled as being for hedgehogs as it usually has very little meat. The food needs to have meat (ideally chicken) as the first ingredient.
Always provide a clean fresh shallow water bowl alongside any food. And keep both bowls clean to avoid spreading disease.
The last time I saw a live hedgehog was October 2018. It was waddling down the main road in broad daylight, so I rescued it and brought it to my mum’s garden. It looked relatively healthy. It wasn’t lethargic, didn’t appear to be underweight- I actually weighed it and googled what an optimal weight for a hedgehog in October should be, nor was it completely covered in parasites. It even did a crap that looked ok. Was suitably cautious of the bipedal giant that picked it up from the road! It stuck around in the garden for several hours and ate a load of worms and a snail or two. Popped it back in the hedge/overgrown verge at the bottom of mum’s neighbourhood once darkness came. Which is likely where it came from anyway.
I called it Dave. After Little Dave Hedgehog from Bottom.
We have 3 who live in our garden in a pair of wooden houses, endless enjoyment watching them on our little network of repurposed security cameras.
They’re in full on hibernation-fattening and preparing the houses for the winter at the moment so scoffing their way through plenty of cat food and gathering up plenty of leaves and straw we leave out for them
Please weigh your young hoglets!
Weigh the tea towel first then cover hoglet and gently scoop up and weigh again (gloves aren’t necessary)
If weight is sufficient then put them back where you found them, they’ll soon return if you offer food
At this time of year if they weigh less than 600 grams they will not survive a winter
Those that are borderline to that weight that have lots of fleas or ticks will also need to be taken to a rehab
(Never use spot on chemical treatments for pet dogs/cats- front line etc as it can kill them)
Hedgehog fleas are host specific and yes they will bite you but they cannot survive without a host or live off of your blood
They also cannot breed or live in your house, they die within 2 weeks
If you find a young hedgehog and need to overnight it somewhere before taking it to a rehabber then please use a cardboard box with shredded news paper inside a larger plastic box but be warned they can climb really well!! A towel over it will help
A warm covered hot water bottle behind or under the cardboard will also help keep them warm
Fresh water and cat biscuits will help fuel their growth
Be warned! If you need to keep one at home in a box they poop and pee without discrimination and absolutely honk!!
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