Otherwise it will get through its fat reserves too quickly and struggle to survive the winter. How heavy should a hedgehog be to hibernate safely?īefore hibernating, a hedgehog should weigh at least 600g. Hedgehogs can tolerate each other and aren’t territorial, with conflicts normally only occurring over food or potential mates. Once a male and female have mated, the male (the boar) leaves the female (the sow) to raise the young hoglets alone. They hunt alone and don’t form lifelong bonds with other hedgehogs. In the wild, hedgehogs are solitary creatures. In addition, hedgehogs move nesting sites at least once during the hibernation period, so don’t be surprised if you see one out and about. However, this is dependent on the weather and in mild winters hedgehogs may remain active well into December. Usually, hedgehogs hibernate for a period of around four months, from November to mid-March. You can also buy special hedgehog houses for them, including our Hogilo hedgehog houses or inspection roof hedgehog house, to build their nest inside. A hedgehog will never generally hibernate outside one of these nests, and you can help it along by leaving plenty of undergrowth and tucked-away spaces in your own garden. They will sleep in these spots during the day at any time of year, and will also sleep in unlit bonfires so it is crucial that you always check your bonfire thoroughly for sleeping hedgehogs before lighting it. Where do hedgehogs hibernate?ĭuring winter hibernation, a hedgehog will generally sleep in a nest that they have built especially in thick undergrowth or under piles of leaves. Their natural food sources may be scarce at this time of year, especially in urban areas, so a specialist hedgehog food or dried calcium worms can supplement their diet effectively and increase the chances of a healthy hibernation. When hedgehogs are preparing to hibernate, it’s crucial that they can find enough fat reserves to survive through the winter. Some may start hibernating earlier or continue later into the spring. However, most hedgehogs tend to hibernate between November and mid-March, depending on the severity of the winter. You can open and save the Hedgehog Calendar hereĪll hedgehogs are different, and some may choose not to hibernate at all.
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