Overwintering Juveniles

All rescue centres and carers get full up between the end of October and Early spring  with young hedgehogs that have been born too late in the year to survive on their own.

To be able to successfully hibernate a hedgehog needs to weigh at least 600 grams and all the youngsters born after the middle of October will need to be looked after until able to be released if a mild spell occurs during winter or until spring.

One way you can help is turn your garden shed into a temporary hedgehog hospital and keep a couple there

These are a few pictures of our shed to give you some ideas

 December 2007: There are 3 cat baskets full of hay with 6 hedgehogs sharing them. The biggest 2 are just over 600 grams now but it is too cold to release at the moment. The other 4 are between 400 & 500 grams

A shed of this size 6' x 4' will easily accommodate 6 or 7 young hedgehogs during the winter.

Don't worry they don't dig to get out and are very happy to have found a nice warm dry place with food for the winter.

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