FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do hedgehogs have fleas?
Hedgehogs can get fleas, but not as often as you might think. HHR has taken in over 300 hedgehogs in the 3.5 years that we have been running, & not 1 hedgehog has had fleas. It is much more common for them to have ticks or mites. It seems that hedgehogs in certain areas are more likely to have fleas, as some rescues always have patients with them, & others (like us) never see them. Even if a hedgehog does have fleas, they are a 'hedgehog specific species' & will not jump onto other animals (such as dogs).
2. What weight do hedgehogs need to be to hibernate safely?
It has been agreed by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (BWRC), The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (RSPCA) & Vale Wildlife Hospital, that the ideal weight for a hedgehog to hibernate safely is 600g. Hedgehogs need to reach this weight by very late Autumn/early Winter. Hedgehogs under 600g may survive hibernation, but their chances are reduced the less body fat they have stored. Research shows that animals under 450g are very unlikely to survive the Winter. The BHPS stress that no particular weight will guarantee survival.
3. Can I have a hedgehog for my garden?
It depends! If you are interested in becoming a release site for rehabilitated hedgehogs that cannot return to the place that they were found, then please see the 'hedgehog release sites' section of this website. If you would like a hedgehog to live in your garden because 'the kids would like it', then I am afraid the answer is no. Apart from the fact that a hedgehog is not likely to stay in your garden (they travel up to 2 miles a night), it would be cruel to enclose a wild animal in a space where it cannot find mates, forage properly or roam freely. Hedgehogs are wild animals, & should not be treated like pets.
4. What can I feed the hedgehogs in my garden?
Support feeding your local hedgehog population is a great way to help them out all year round, but especially when they are trying to gain weight for hibernation. It is best to offer meaty dog or cat food (in jelly) &/or dry cat or hedgehog biscuits. Please do not put out bowls full of mealworms or sunflowers hearts, as they have very little nutritional value & can actually cause health problems (such a metabolic bone disease) if too many are eaten. Remember to leave a shallow dish of water out for your visiting hedgehogs too.
5. Do hedgehogs sunbathe?
Hedgehogs never sunbathe, ever! They are a strictly nocturnal species, & a healthy hedgehog will not lye in the middle of your lawn. Hedgehogs that appear to be 'sunbathing' are actually likely to be very ill & dehydrated. Any hedgehog out during the day is almost always unwell, injured or orphaned. Please pick the animal up & call your nearest rescue for advice. Click on the 'Found a Hedgehog?' link below to find out what to do if you find a hedgehog in trouble.
6. Can I visit the hedgehogs?
HHR is a home-based rescue, & unfortunately we cannot allow members of the public to visit mostly due to insurance issues. The other reason that we cannot allow visitors is that the hedgehogs here are sick wild animals, & they need a quiet environment & as little human contact as possible. HHR apologises for any disappointment caused. However, please go to our Facebook page for lots of photos, videos & hedgehog stories!
Hedgehogs can get fleas, but not as often as you might think. HHR has taken in over 300 hedgehogs in the 3.5 years that we have been running, & not 1 hedgehog has had fleas. It is much more common for them to have ticks or mites. It seems that hedgehogs in certain areas are more likely to have fleas, as some rescues always have patients with them, & others (like us) never see them. Even if a hedgehog does have fleas, they are a 'hedgehog specific species' & will not jump onto other animals (such as dogs).
2. What weight do hedgehogs need to be to hibernate safely?
It has been agreed by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (BWRC), The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (RSPCA) & Vale Wildlife Hospital, that the ideal weight for a hedgehog to hibernate safely is 600g. Hedgehogs need to reach this weight by very late Autumn/early Winter. Hedgehogs under 600g may survive hibernation, but their chances are reduced the less body fat they have stored. Research shows that animals under 450g are very unlikely to survive the Winter. The BHPS stress that no particular weight will guarantee survival.
3. Can I have a hedgehog for my garden?
It depends! If you are interested in becoming a release site for rehabilitated hedgehogs that cannot return to the place that they were found, then please see the 'hedgehog release sites' section of this website. If you would like a hedgehog to live in your garden because 'the kids would like it', then I am afraid the answer is no. Apart from the fact that a hedgehog is not likely to stay in your garden (they travel up to 2 miles a night), it would be cruel to enclose a wild animal in a space where it cannot find mates, forage properly or roam freely. Hedgehogs are wild animals, & should not be treated like pets.
4. What can I feed the hedgehogs in my garden?
Support feeding your local hedgehog population is a great way to help them out all year round, but especially when they are trying to gain weight for hibernation. It is best to offer meaty dog or cat food (in jelly) &/or dry cat or hedgehog biscuits. Please do not put out bowls full of mealworms or sunflowers hearts, as they have very little nutritional value & can actually cause health problems (such a metabolic bone disease) if too many are eaten. Remember to leave a shallow dish of water out for your visiting hedgehogs too.
5. Do hedgehogs sunbathe?
Hedgehogs never sunbathe, ever! They are a strictly nocturnal species, & a healthy hedgehog will not lye in the middle of your lawn. Hedgehogs that appear to be 'sunbathing' are actually likely to be very ill & dehydrated. Any hedgehog out during the day is almost always unwell, injured or orphaned. Please pick the animal up & call your nearest rescue for advice. Click on the 'Found a Hedgehog?' link below to find out what to do if you find a hedgehog in trouble.
6. Can I visit the hedgehogs?
HHR is a home-based rescue, & unfortunately we cannot allow members of the public to visit mostly due to insurance issues. The other reason that we cannot allow visitors is that the hedgehogs here are sick wild animals, & they need a quiet environment & as little human contact as possible. HHR apologises for any disappointment caused. However, please go to our Facebook page for lots of photos, videos & hedgehog stories!