What to do in an emergency - Hedgehogs

There's a hedgehog out in the garden during the day. I thought they were nocturnal?

They are - so a hedgehog out during the day is a sign there is almost certainly something wrong. If the hog is a healthy looking adult and is busy carrying grass and leaves to a dry space, then leave it alone - its nest has been disturbed and it is building another one.

If it is asleep in the sun, staggering or walking in circles, it needs to get to a centre as soon as possible. Try and pick it up and put it in a cardboard box or pet carrier lined with newspaper or an old towel. If you haven't got anything to put it in, ask a neighbour for help, or wrap the animal up in an old towel and put it into a shed or garage to save it wandering off while you make arrangements for its transportation to the nearest wildlife hospital.

I can hear young hedgehogs piping loudly in their nest. Are they ok?

Probably! Do not be tempted to handle the babies as the mother is likely to eat them if they are contaminated with human scent. Wait and see if the mother returns to the nest in a reasonable time. The babies have a penetrating cry but she may be a few gardens away and even hurrying back will still take some time. Often people interfere far too quickly because they think an animal has been abandoned, but this is rarely the case, and you should always be absolutely sure before getting involved in any way. If, after several hours, the mother has still not returned, contact your local rescue centre who will tell you what to do next.

It's very late in the autumn and I have a nest of baby hedgehogs has just been born in my garden. Will they survive the winter?

A hedgehog needs to be about 600g or 1lb to be able to survive hibernation. In these cases, sadly, it is best to let nature take its course, but if the babies have been abandoned by their mother, it is possible for local experts to hand rear them. Contact your local centre to ask their advice.

There's a hedgehog in my garden making a terrible wheezing and coughing noise and its nose is streaming. What's wrong with it?

Hedgehogs are prone to lung worms and respiratory diseases and most centres will willingly examine a hog if someone is worried about it. Pick it up carefully, using stout gloves and place it in a stout box, lined with towels or newspapers to take to the centre once they have agreed to see it.

Lots of people feed hedgehogs with bread and milk, but I've heard this isn't good for them. What's the real story?

You are right - milk and bread is not a good or healthy diet for a mammal that is carnivorous and can be fatal to young hedgehogs! The fact that your hedgehog laps up any bread and milk left out for it doesn't mean it is a good thing to feed it, any more than sweets are good for us, no mater how much we like them! Cat food (non-fish varieties only) and water is a far better way to keep the hedgehogs in your garden fit and healthy.

Hedgehog Fact Sheet -  see attachment below