Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue

Cartoon Hedgehog

www.thehedgehog.co.uk

How to tell if a hedgehog is underweight or needs help

When turned onto its back, a healthy hedgehog of the correct weight for its size should be almost round. The distance between head & tail & the side to side distance should be nearly equal.

If the head to tail is much longer than side to side, then it is very underweight & thin.

Another sign of problems is if when lying on its back, the tail end tapers to a V or is much thinner than the head end.

**click on the pictures to enlarge them**
	This shows a healthy hedgehog of the correct weight the distance between head & tail (A) is approximately the same as the side to side distance (B ) He looks plump and round like a ball
	This is a seriously underweight hedgehog needing urgent help and taking into care immediately A is much longer than B Also note the way the head is much fatter than the tail In real life when the spines don't bristle up, the difference is even more pronounced and easier to see

From about middle of October until the spring) ANY hedgehog weighing less than about 500g should be picked up and help and advice got from a local rescue centre or hedgehog carer. This applies even if it looks round and healthy like the first picture

This information has been based on the research carried out by Dr Toni Bunnell