What should you do if you find a hedgehog?

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If you find a hedgehog in need, your immediate action should be to assess its condition and, if necessary, contact a local wildlife rescue or hedgehog expert for guidance and assistance.

Hedgehog Encounters: Understanding the Basics

Coming across a hedgehog in your garden or during a walk can be a delightful experience. However, it’s essential to know how to respond to ensure the hedgehog’s well-being. Healthy hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures, so seeing one out during the day is often a sign that something is wrong. Knowing What should you do if you find a hedgehog? can make a crucial difference in their survival.

Assessing the Hedgehog’s Condition

Before taking any action, carefully observe the hedgehog. Is it:

Active and moving normally?
Injured in any way (visible wounds, limping)?
Thin or emaciated?
Out during the day (unless it’s late evening or early morning)?
Surrounded by flies?
In immediate danger (e.g., in a road)?
A baby hedgehog (‘hoglet’) without its mother nearby?

A healthy, active hedgehog seen at night usually requires no intervention. However, if any of the above conditions are present, the hedgehog likely needs help.

Immediate Actions: Providing Temporary Care

If you suspect a hedgehog is in distress, here are the steps you should take:

Containment: Gently place the hedgehog in a high-sided cardboard box lined with newspaper or old towels. Ensure the box has ventilation holes.
Warmth: Provide a source of warmth, such as a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel (avoid direct contact to prevent burns).
Hydration: Offer a shallow dish of fresh water.
Food: Provide a small amount of wet cat or dog food (not fish-based) or specialized hedgehog food.
Contact an Expert: Immediately contact a local wildlife rescue organization, hedgehog rescue, or veterinarian experienced with hedgehogs for further advice.

It is crucial to avoid giving hedgehogs bread or milk, as these can cause digestive problems.

When to Intervene: Hoglets and Maternal Absence

Finding a baby hedgehog, or ‘hoglet,’ presents a unique situation. Observe the hoglet from a distance for a few hours to see if the mother returns. If the mother is not seen, or the hoglet appears cold, weak, or injured, intervention is necessary. Follow the steps above for immediate care and contact a wildlife rescue. Hoglets require specialized care and feeding.

Hedgehog Health Concerns: Common Ailments

Hedgehogs are susceptible to various health problems, including:

Lungworm: A parasitic infection that can cause respiratory distress.
Ringworm: A fungal infection that causes skin lesions.
Mites: Infestations that cause intense itching and quill loss.
Wounds: From predators, road traffic accidents, or garden hazards.
Malnutrition: Due to lack of food or underlying health issues.

Recognizing the signs of these ailments is crucial for prompt intervention.

Creating a Hedgehog-Friendly Garden

You can significantly improve the chances of a hedgehog thriving in your garden by making it a safe and welcoming environment:

Provide access: Create small gaps in fences (13cm x 13cm) to allow hedgehogs to move freely between gardens.
Remove hazards: Cover drains, avoid using slug pellets or pesticides, and check bonfires carefully before lighting.
Offer shelter: Provide hedgehog houses or leave areas of undisturbed vegetation.
Leave out food and water: Especially during dry spells or before hibernation.

Common Mistakes When Helping Hedgehogs

Many well-intentioned people make mistakes when trying to help hedgehogs. Avoid these common pitfalls:

Giving milk or bread: As mentioned earlier, these are harmful.
Releasing hedgehogs without rehabilitation: Sick or injured hedgehogs need professional care before being released back into the wild.
Keeping hedgehogs as pets: Wild hedgehogs are not suitable pets and are protected by law in many countries.
Using slug pellets: These can poison hedgehogs and other wildlife.
Disturbing nesting hedgehogs: Avoid disturbing hedgehogs during breeding season (spring and summer).

The Importance of Expert Advice

The best thing you can do is to contact a professional if you are not sure What should you do if you find a hedgehog? Wildlife rescues and experienced vets have the knowledge and resources to provide the best possible care for hedgehogs in need. Their expertise is invaluable in ensuring the animal’s survival and eventual release back into its natural habitat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best way to contain a hedgehog without getting hurt?

Use thick gardening gloves or a towel to gently scoop up the hedgehog and place it in a cardboard box. Hedgehogs are prickly, but they are not aggressive unless they feel threatened. Move slowly and deliberately to avoid startling it.

What should I feed a hedgehog I find in my garden?

Offer wet cat or dog food (not fish-based) or specialized hedgehog food. Always provide a shallow dish of fresh water. Avoid milk and bread.

How can I tell if a hedgehog is underweight?

A healthy hedgehog should be pear-shaped. If it appears very thin, with its spine and ribs easily visible, it is likely underweight and needs assistance.

Is it okay to move a hedgehog if it’s in a dangerous location, like a road?

Yes, carefully move the hedgehog to a safer location, away from traffic. Use gloves or a towel to protect yourself from its spines. Prioritize your safety and the hedgehog’s.

What does it mean if I see a hedgehog out during the day?

Seeing a hedgehog out during the day is often a sign that something is wrong. It could be ill, injured, or dehydrated. Contact a wildlife rescue immediately.

How do I know if a baby hedgehog (hoglet) is orphaned?

Observe the hoglet from a distance for a few hours to see if the mother returns. If the mother is not seen, or the hoglet appears cold, weak, or injured, it likely needs rescue. Do not immediately assume it is orphaned.

Should I try to treat a hedgehog’s injuries myself?

No, do not attempt to treat a hedgehog’s injuries yourself. Contact a veterinarian or wildlife rescue organization. They have the necessary expertise and medication to provide appropriate care.

What kind of shelter can I provide for hedgehogs in my garden?

You can purchase a pre-made hedgehog house or create one yourself using a wooden box. Fill it with dry leaves and straw, and place it in a quiet, sheltered area of your garden.

How can I keep my garden safe for hedgehogs?

Avoid using slug pellets or pesticides, cover drains and holes, check bonfires before lighting them, and provide access between gardens by creating small gaps in fences.

What should I do if I accidentally injure a hedgehog while gardening?

Stop gardening immediately and carefully assess the hedgehog’s injuries. Contact a veterinarian or wildlife rescue organization for advice and assistance. Time is of the essence.

Can I release a hedgehog back into the wild after caring for it?

Only release a hedgehog back into the wild after it has been fully rehabilitated by a wildlife rescue organization or veterinarian. They will ensure it is healthy, of a good weight, and able to survive on its own.

Is it illegal to keep a wild hedgehog as a pet?

Yes, in many countries it is illegal to keep a wild hedgehog as a pet. Hedgehogs are protected by law, and removing them from their natural habitat is harmful and unethical. If you find a hedgehog in need, What should you do if you find a hedgehog? – Seek professional advice and assistance, don’t keep it captive.