The hedgehog in...... Summer

The Hedgehog in Summer By early summer, the breeding season is in full swing. A warm and damp spring means lots of natural food but if the weather turns wet and cold, or very hot and dry, bugs and insects will be scarce in early summer. Hedgehogs will be under pressure to find enough food to sustain them while they rear their litters and later on, newly weaned hoglets are particularly vulnerable once they are independent of their mothers. Now, more than ever, it is important to keep putting out food and water for hedgehogs.

With the sort of unpredictable seasons we are now experiencing, it is probably necessary to keep putting out food all year round and indeed, this is now the advice being given by the RSPB regarding garden birds. They share many food sources with hedgehogs and are equally vulnerable in dry weather when they have young to feed.

During summer, we often have calls from people who have found what they think are abandoned hoglets and are unsure what to do.

All members are issued with a copy of our Do's and Don'ts information postcard and we also have a comprehensive advice section on this website. It is not always easy to know if baby animals are truly abandoned or have just been parked temporarily while Mum forages for food, so if you have read the advice and are still in any doubt as to the best course of action, please call us straight away. We don't mind false alarms if it means that babies are not taken away when Mum is still looking after them, but likewise, if they are truly abandoned, your call could save their lives!

Hedgehogs that need help are:

Orphaned hoglets - found out of the nest in day, or when the nest has been destroyed and the mother killed or injured.

Injured hedgehogs - with open wounds, fractures, bites, burns, or trapped in some way.

Sick hedgehogs - usually found out in the day, thin, dehydrated, possibly poisoned, or with breathing problems. Hedgehogs that are unsteady on their feet (wobbling, rocking) and one with flies around them.

Autumn juveniles - young hedgehogs born late in the year, weighing under 600g from September onwards - especially if out in the day.



Hedgehogs that should be left alone:

Healthy hedgehogs will often arouse from hibernation for short periods even in cold winter weather. Do not assume these hedgehogs need help unless they are underweight or obviously unwell.

Adult females in summer that are uninjured but found out in daylight may be nursing mothers. Any large uninjured hedgehogs found at night (e.g. in winter or in the road) and picked up "for safety" by well meaning people should be put back away from the road but near where found.