How to spot a hedgehog in trouble

Author - Brittany Elce

Hedgehogs are one of the UK’s most unique and creative characters; with a prickly body and little snouts, they turn out to be one of the country’s most loved mammals. Despite this, there are plenty of dangers out there for these curious creatures.

Hedgehogs are strictly nocturnal animals, sleeping throughout the day and emerging from their homes during the night. They hibernate during the colder months, between October to April, when food is harder to find. Therefore, if you spot a hedgehog in winter or even during the day, it is a warning sign that the hedgehog is in danger and may need assistance (Hedgehog Bottom, 2018). Hedgehogs are prone to hypothermia, which can be fatal if left untreated. Hedgehogs that are suffering from this condition may be seen staggering around or ‘sunbathing’ to warm up. Hypothermia can make eating, drinking and even curling impossible for hedgehogs. It is crucial they get help as quickly as possible (Hedgehog Street, 2017).

Picture courtesy of Pixabay.com (2016)

Hedgehogs will often find themselves trapped in netting, fencing, and ponds. Even discarded litter, such as yoghurt pots and bottles, can pose a hazard. Picking up litter that you see in your local area can help protect the nearby wildlife and save them from unnecessary harm. If you find a trapped hedgehog, it is important to provide help in a way that doesn’t cause further stress or injury.

The lives of these prickly creatures are precious to our environment. By learning how to spot a hedgehog in distress, you can help us to prevent unnecessary deaths and give hedgehog populations a fighting chance to recover.

References:

Harper N (2012) Wildlife Online - Caring for hedgehogs. Available from: http://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/hedgehog_care.html [Accessed 03 Mar. 2018].

Hedgehog Bottom (2018) Hedgehog Bottom Rescue - Rescue or leave alone. Available from: http://www.hedgehog-rescue.org.uk/leavealone.php [Accessed 02 Mar. 2018].

Hedgehog Street (2017) Found a sick or injured hedgehog? - hedgehog street. Available from: https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/sick-or-injured-hedgehog/ [Accessed 03 Mar. 2018].

Pixabay.com (2016) Brown and black hedgehog - free stock photo. Available from: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-and-black-hedgehog-206862/ [Accessed 03 Mar. 2018].

Pixabay.com (2017) Free stock photo of animal, animal world, close-up. Available from: https://www.pexels.com/photo/animal-animal-world-close-up-cute-356173/ [Accessed 03 Mar. 2018]

Picture courtesy of Pixabay.com (2017)

During the autumn months, you may notice a rise in young hedgehogs exploring the world by themselves. These hedgehogs, called ‘autumn juveniles’, are hedgehogs that are old enough to have left their mother, but that are still too small to hibernate safely. Many autumn juveniles will suffer from lungworm, a parasitic worm that causes problems with the animal’s breathing, adding another hurdle in their fight for survival. Symptoms of lungworm include: restlessness, coughing, rapid breathing, and a loss of appetite. If you see a hedgehog displaying these symptoms, you should contact a local wildlife organisation so that treatment can be provided.