 
 HEDGEHOGS
Delightful little creatures that like to rummage around your garden eating slugs, caterpillars, beetles and
other insects. They are completely harmless to humans and if you would like to attract them to your
garden, create wild areas with log piles and plenty of leaves, or you can even provide a purpose built
hedgehog house.
Putting out fresh water and food such as minced meat, tinned dog food (not fish based) and a few dog
biscuits will encourage your visiting hedgehogs to return regularly. Milk is not recommended as it can
cause severe diarrhoea.
Hedgehogs are normally nocturnal, which means they are active during the night. Youngsters are born
usually June/July but sometimes as late as September.
They hibernate between November and mid March; so a hedgehog seen out in the daytime then,
may be sick. Any that are born late in the season might not have sufficient fat reserves to survive the
hibernation. So, any orphans found weighing less than 500 gms (1.1lb) at the end of the Autumn, will
need to be taken in, kept warm and fed daily. An ideal hibernating weight should be 550-680 gms
(1.2-1.5lbs).
SICK OR INJURED HEDGEHOGS
A hedgehog may be sick if it is reluctant to curl up, breathing heavily or wheezing and the spines are
lying flat. It may also feel cold to the touch. It may also have a number of ticks on it, especially
around the head. Ticks and fleas are normally found on hedgehogs and do not present too much of
a problem for them unless in large numbers. Tiny yellowish fly eggs may be seen around the head area.
Injuries may result from being struck with a strimmer or mower which causes horrific lacerations, even
amputated limbs. They can also suffer broken limbs, so you may see one dragging a leg or the leg
sticking out when it tries to curl up. The worst injuries occur when struck by a moving vehicle, or
being burnt alive in a bonfire - never light a bonfire without checking for hedgehogs or other small
creatures.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND A SICK OR INJURED HEDGEHOG
If you find a sick or injured hedgehog, gently pick it up (best to wear gardening gloves) and place it in
a well ventilated box lined with newspaper or an old towel. Keep the hedgehog warm and take it to a
local veterinary surgery (who should take it in free of charge) or your nearest wildlife or hedgehog
hospital. If you cannot find a suitable box, carry the hedgehog in a towel.
TRAPPED IN A DRAIN OR HOLE 
Try to gently pull the hedgehog out using barbecue tongs or something similar if they will fit either side
of the animal. You may even be able to get hold of a few spines so that you can ease it out. It may be
a little uncomfortable for it, but it is better than being left unable to get out. If the animal is facing head
up, put a piece of material down the hole - it may be able to gain purchase on the material in order to
crawl out. If all fails, get help. Try your local hedgehog hospital or ring the RSPCA.
CAUGHT IN NETTING OR LITTER
Cut the netting away from the hedgehog as best you can. As they curl up, it is usually impossible to get
to all the netting. Take it to your local veterinary surgeon where they can administer a little anaesthetic
to get the animal to uncurl, take off any remaining netting etc., and check for injuries.
WHO TO CONTACT
Wildlife Hospital
lines open 24 hrs
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