They really don't come out during the day, the only time they will be out might be if they are trying to find nesting materials or food for their hoglets or are moving a nest!
If you see a hedgehog who looks very busy running errands then they are perfectly fine BUT if you see a disorientated hedgehog, a circling hedgehog, skinny hedgehog, a hedgehog with a pinched waist (they are more of an oval shape) or a lifeless hedgehog it means that they need urgent help!
Some other indicators you might see that indicate a hedgehog needs help if:
1. they have high levels of parasites on the hedgehogs - Fleas, Ticks, flies and other parasites. While one or two ticks are normal, but covered in any of these, or animals covered in flies can indicate injury or illness.
2. they are injured or burned from gardening/habitat work or attacked by animals. Gardening incidents, such as strimmers or lawnmowers and burns from bonfires are disappointing common esp when you don't first Listen Check and then Do. The other very common injury route that wildlife care centres report are injuries from domestic dogs.
3. they are trapped and tangled. They can get trapped in ponds, cattle grids, open drains, open construction works with digging and rat poison trays. They can also be tangled in sports netting and litter like rubber bands and food containers. Once freed, don't let them go immediately as they may have injuries you can't see, report it to a hedgehog rescuer, get their advice, they may say that its fine to release after some monitoring.
4. you find orphaned or abandoned young - but its really important not to touch them until you know they have been abandoned, as handling young hedgehogs is one reason they get abandoned or eaten by mum! as they are covered in the wrong scent. Normally they shouldn't be found without mum in the daytime (unless she's doing something purposely). So report it to a hedgehog centre/first aider and follow their advice - which can including monitoring for an hour or two without touching them or disturbing the habitat around the nest as she may come back. Other reasons for abandonment include:
- The nest may have been disturbed
- Adverse weather conditions such as flooding
- the mother has been killed.
5. you find underweight hedgehogs in autumn. They need to weight 600-650 grams before hibernation, on a wildlife camera, they should be 4 times the size of a tennis ball, or a small pineapple if you are better and picturing fruit. Having a tennis call in the view of your wildlife camera can help you estimate their size.
If you do find a hedgehog who is in trouble.
A. Don’t try and administer first aid as we are very delicate and it could make matters worse.
B. Call your nearest hedgehog first aider or wildlife centre follow their advice.
C. If you have to move a sick hog, carefully put them in a box with warm towels.
Draw - Photograph - Sculpt - Act -Mime etc. and post on all platforms. Please tag @HogFriendly @SHkingstonuni and add as many different people as possible - ask them to make their own version and then keep spreading the word. Use #Hedgehoghelpers #KUHoglets #HHfacts on all of your posts so that we can try to find them.
Lets try to take over social media with #Hedgehoghelpers #HHfacts
Things that you can do to help with the problem
Make a note of your nearest hedgehog first aider or hedgehog centre near your work and home so that you know where to find the information if you ever need it.
If you see any animals in trouble do report it and see if you can help following the centres advice.
For any animals that you do find unwell, take notes on where and when you found them. and make sure that information is given to the centre/first aider. Exchange your details too, as if an animal can be released back where it was found, a centre might need help contacting the site owners etc. if you know the details.
Report any dead or ill hedgehogs and other garden wildlife on the garden wildlife health portal with ZSL on https://www.gardenwildlifehealth.org/gwh-database/ and you can find more specific information on hedgehog disease etc. on their page here https://www.gardenwildlifehealth.org/garden-wildlife/#hedgeUntil next time
KU Hoglets
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