There will be many female hedgehogs giving birth in July and those hoglets born in early June will soon be out foraging with their mothers.
Hoglets are born blind and naked but within 2 hours of birth a cushion of fluid that covers their first set of prickles is absorbed and the prickles appear. They have around 200 white prickles that are in straight lines running from head to tail. (Yes, they do have a small tail!)
Their second set of prickles starts to push through 36 hours after they are born. Their skin is a grey colour on their backs and pink on their face and tummy. Gradually as the prickles grow longer their face starts to develop some hair. When they are 8 days old they can curl into a ball and at 14 days their eyes open, quickly followed by their ears. At 4 weeks old they start to ventuire out with mum. By this time they are little miniatures of an adult.
If you have a nest in your garden, do not be tempted to peep inside as mum may abandon them or move them to a new site.
To help them get around your garden if you have steps try putting an extra brick on each step to make it easier for little legs to climb up.
Any that are around in the day especially if they are lethargic, squeaking or attracting flies need to be rescued. If you just find a single hoglet look for more as there can be 4-5 in a litter. Keep them warm on a covered hot water bottle and put a piece of towel over them to keep them warm. Then call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society or a local hedgehog rehabilitator for advice on where to take them.
If you think a hedgehog is in trouble call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801. Out of hours you will be directed to other numbers and whatever the time you should be able to speak to a real person.
For more information about hedgehogs and making your garden safer for them visit
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.](Thank you to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and Trustee Kay Bullen for letting us use this article).
Fri Jul 06, 2012 12:46 pm
