Hedgehogs In Winter

[Richie V]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but shouldnt hedgehogs be sleeping at this time of year

This little fella was roaming my garden last night at -1.1C ...... Brrrrrrr!

[jethro]

He should be sound asleep, they are sometimes late to hibernate if the weather's mild but it's been a little too cold for that. I expect he's still trying to stock up for winter and looking for food, try putting out some dog or cat food to tempt him and make his search easier.

[Richard Taylor]

Or if you're short of a brillo pad....

By the way I saw (grey) squirrels throughout last winter in Aberdeen when they too should have been hibernating...at least I was always told squirrels took a nap in winter.

[Nick L]

Nah squirrels don't hibernate I don't think. I always see them in winter, got 2 of them this winter nicking all of our bird feed! ( http://www.squirrels.org/faq.html#Q8 )

But the mild winters have really been messing up the wildlife, so it is good for them that we are finally getting a normal one so they don't get confused! Although that hedgehog hasn't got the message...

[LadyPakal]

Hedgehog hibernation info:

http://www.thehedgehog.co.uk/hibernation.htm

'Hedgehogs hibernate to bypass the cold months of the year when food becomes scarce. If the weather is warm and food is put out for them every night, some hedgehogs do not feel the need to hibernate and will stay active all through the winter.'

'Hibernation begins for most hedgehogs in the October or November months. They can be seen wandering about, however right up until Christmas or even after, especially if the hog has not managed to collect enough food to see itself through the winter.'

Grey Squirrel hibernation info:

http://www.pznow.co.uk/wildlife/squirrel.html

'It is a common misnomer that grey squirrels hibernate. In winter during warmer spells they have to feed, this is when the stores are dug up. To meet the cold winter their coat becomes longer and thicker.'

[Snow Queen one]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but shouldnt hedgehogs be sleeping at this time of year

This little fella was roaming my garden last night at -1.1C ...... Brrrrrrr!

How big was it if they are too small they will not hibernate i don't think. They need to be a certain weight so maybe he/she is stocking up as the other poster said feed it on dog or cat food. It may well not hibernate at all. If it is too small it will die without help

[Richard Taylor]

Ah, thanks people. Consider myself teached!!

It's the wrong colour of squirrel anyway...should be RED not Grey!

The American imports are spreading...well, like squirrels!

[jethro]

They're just doing what squirrels do though; can't imagine any of them formed an orderly queue, clutching a one way ticket across the Atlantic. Squirrels, Rabbits, Muntjacs, big garden Snails; none of them should be here but it isn't their fault they were sent travelling.

[Nick L]

I think grey squirrels are remarkable things. Just watching them acrobatically try and dangle off a branch to get the tiniest morsel of food is amusing! The Woodpigeons aren't happy with them though when they find all their food gone.

[BARRY]

well don't catch a grey squirrel,because it is against the law to release them you should humanely smack it on the head or you could be fined

[jethro]

Or alternatively, take it to a wildlife rescue centre, which are issued release licences from DEFRA.

[Guest zebra danio]

Hedgehogs are adorable! When one is around my garden, I put out some of the cat food that that my two leave (fresh within an hour) and they come onto the patio to eat it. . My garden is fit for the fairies and elves with a woodlandy feel and a natural style pond so get quite a lot of wildlife roaming around - inc the hedgepigs and their lovely snuffly sound!

[noggin]

Sorry to lower the tone from lovely hedgehogs and squirrels to the less adorable rat population, but, has this cold spell been sufficient to curb their numbers, does anyone think? The last few years have apparently seen an increase in their numbers and it always seems to be put down to milder Winters.