Hedgehog Hibernation: How to Help
In the UK, there is thought to be one million hedgehogs left in our natural environment. 60 years ago, this number was closer to 36 million. Habitat loss, limited resources and traffic in urban environments all play a part in this major decline.
Every year, to protect them selves, this species hibernates. With habitat loss, it can be difficult for Hedgehogs to find a safe spot. But, we can do something about this by making our gardens friendly for a hibernating Hedgehog.
From late October to November, they begin preparing for hibernation, Hedgehogs will eat lots of food and find a safe place to rest, so you might spot Hedgehogs visiting your garden during this time.
What Is Hibernation for a Hibernating Hedgehog?
Hibernation is a state of dormancy that some animals enter during the winter. It helps to conserve energy and to survive when food is scarce or the weather is too harsh.
For Hedgehog, maintaining their body temperature during the cold is energy intensive. Hedgehogs hibernate to lower their body temperature and reduce the need for constant energy.
During the cold months, Hedgehogs main food source is limited, the state of dormancy they go into means they can survive the hibernation period with very little food.
In their hibernation nest, they are safer from predators so they are able to thrive and be ready to come back out into our gardens during the Spring.
Preparing for Hibernation
Throughout Autumn, Hedgehogs spend their days preparing for hibernation. They focus on building enough weight and body fat to sustain them throughout the winter months. They enter a state that slows their metabolism and conserves precious energy.
To do this successfully, Hedgehogs forage on insects, worms and other food to store fat. During this time, they are also on the search for safe, warm spots to build their nest.
As winter months approach and the temperatures drop, Hedgehogs naturally reduce their activity and start hibernating. Without sufficient food and a well prepared nest, Hedgehogs may struggle to survive the winter.
Creating a Safe Place: Hedgehogs Hibernate
Whether in a Hedgehog house or in a pile of leaves; our gardens are a crucial part of the Hedgehogs hibernation strategy and a safe nest means they have all of the warmth and protection they need to survive their 4-6 month long rest.
.A Hedgehog House
Hedgehog houses are man made designs that provide suitable shelter for these mammals. They are secure and isolated, and most are made so only small animals, like Hedgehogs, can get it - so they are safe from most predators and other animals.
If you're a DIY pro, you can make your own Hedgehog house, just make sure to follow a Hedgehog house building guide so that it's made perfectly for these creatures.
Place the house in a quiet part of the garden, away from where you might accidentally disturb it, leaving the Hedgehogs in your garden to hibernate in peace.
A Natural Hibernation Nest
Piles of leaf can provide a warm, insulated material for a nesting Hedgehog to create their own nests with. So leave any leaf piles in an open area for the Hedgehogs to use.
Stack logs and branches in a quiet spot to create a natural habitat that offers shelter and protection. Leave it undisturbed and combine with a layer of moss.
Compost heaps also serve as a natural site to nest. They are warm so attract these creatures; just be careful when turning heaps during the winter as they may be nesting inside.
How to Avoid Disturbing Potential Nests?
Avoiding any disturbance is important for their survival. When working around potential nesting sites (leaf piles, log piles) use thick gardening gloves and handle the materials very gently.
Try and avoid doing too much gardening during the winter hibernation period to help these creatures survive hibernation.
Make sure everyone who uses your garden knows the importance of hibernating hedgehogs so that they are careful around those areas in your garden.
Creating a safe environment for Hedgehogs will help them survive winter!
Supporting Hedgehogs In your Garden
During the run up to hibernation, Hedgehogs need our support. Setting up a feeding station is a really great way to ensure Hedgehogs have access to all of the food they need to store up energy for the winter.
Leave Hedgehog friendly food out in your garden. Hedgehogs eat cat food, cat biscuits or specially formulated Hedgehog food. Avoid bread, milk and other human food as these can be harmful to Hedgehogs.
A simple, shallow dish or a purpose built Hedgehog bowl can work well. Place it in a quiet spot to avoid scaring off any Hedgehogs. Check and refill the food daily to ensure it is fresh. Fresh water is needed too. It's crucial for hydration and helping Hedgehogs stay healthy.
Watch for signs that a hedgehog might be in trouble. Indicators of distress include: Hedgehogs are nocturnal and should only be active during the night. If you see a hedgehog out during the day, it could be a sign of illness or starvation.
Signs of lethargy, difficulty moving, or a visible injury can indicate a problem. A hedgehog that looks unusually thin or weak may need extra food and care to build up fat reserves before hibernation.
If you find a hedgehog in distress or that appears to need help, contact a local wildlife rescue centre or the nearest rescue centre for advice and assistance. They can provide guidance on what steps to take or offer direct support.
If instructed by a wildlife rescue, you may need to provide temporary care for the hedgehog. This could involve feeding it high-quality hedgehog food and keeping it in a warm, quiet place until professional help can be reached. Minimise direct handling of the hedgehog to reduce stress. Use gloves if necessary to protect both you and the animal.
The Impact of Mild Winters
Mild winters can pose significant challenges for Hedgehogs, disrupting their natural hibernation patterns and potentially jeopardising their survival. Hibernation is crucial for hedgehogs as it allows them to conserve energy during periods when food is scarce and temperatures are too cold.
However, when winters are unusually mild, with temperatures remaining above the typical freezing point, Hedgehogs may not enter hibernation as they should. Instead, they might remain active longer than usual, which can lead to several problems.
In a mild winter, hedgehogs may continue to forage and expend energy when they should be conserving it. This increased activity can lead to depletion of their fat reserves, leaving them underweight and ill-prepared for the cold snaps that might follow.
If the temperatures are not consistently cold, hedgehogs might not find suitable nesting sites or may struggle to find adequate food, further compromising their ability to build up sufficient fat stores for a successful hibernation.
