When do
Hedgehogs usually hibernate from October/November through to March/April. Research has shown that each individual is likely to move nesting sites at least once during this period and so can sometimes be seen out and about. During mild winters hedgehogs can remain active well into November and December.
Typically, hedgehogs hibernate from late December / early January until late March time. However, this is very dependent on the weather and the individual hedgehog, as some will hibernate earlier or later and some not at all!
Routinely we expect to see hedgehogs come out in the evening around 9.30pm and go back to bed by 5am. Hedgehog living in the garden where there is food will often come out when the food arrives as they hear the clink of a bowl or the munching of another hedgehogs with their acute hearing and come out immediately.
Hibernation can take place any time from October to April, but in a warmer winter you may still see hedgehogs out and about in December.
A hibernating hedgehog will be completely rolled up into a tight ball with no face visible. You can tell that the hedgehog is hibernating and not dead by the fact that it will 'ripple' when touched very gently. It may also emit a little 'snore'! Hedgehogs also generally don't die curled up….
It's a good idea to put out food for hedgehogs all year round. In spring, it will be a boost for those emerging from hibernation, while in late summer and autumn it will help hogs build up those all-important fat reserves to survive the winter.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night. They also make sure to hide themselves away in their nest when they're resting, to avoid disturbance and predation. For these reasons, sleeping and resting aren't behaviours we're likely to see a lot in the garden!
If your neighbours have hedgehogs in their garden, it's very likely that you do too, as hedgehogs travel up to a mile every night. This is why it's so important that we ensure hedgehog highways within communities so the hedgehogs have space to roam freely looking for shelter and food.
As previously mentioned, hedgehogs will hibernate as soon as the food supply starts to run out and air temperatures drop, typically from October to around March/April. However, this hibernation period is not just one big snooze for a hedgehog, in fact hedgehogs will wake quite frequently during hibernation.
If you do disturb a nest accidentally, cover the hedgehog back up with leaves and retreat. Make sure some food is available nearby so that if the hedgehog does awaken it has some food to help it regain its stores before it goes back into hibernation. For further advice please contact your local rescue centre.
But, don't worry, if hedgehogs are in the area, and your garden is hedgehog-friendly then they will soon return. It is also possible that you are being visited by several different hedgehogs each night, rather than always the same individual.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, they come out at night and sleep during the day. The only exception to this is when female hogs can sometimes be seen foraging in the late afternoons. So, if you have a hedgie wandering around in your garden during the daytime, chances are it's in trouble.
Night manoeuvres
Like bats, hedgehogs avoid artificial lighting, keeping to less well-lit areas, and this could affect other behaviours.
After a little research on the internet, I found out that hedgehogs don't like the rain. They shelter from it. Discuss the reasons animals need shelter with the children. Look at the objective- to make a roof for an open shoe box and to see which roof can keep the most water from the 'hedgehog'.
Insects are a favorite for hedgehogs. You can offer live bugs, which will also give your tiny buddy the chance to 'hunt' his dinner. Frozen ones are fine as well. Mealworms, wax worms, silk worms and crickets are all good options.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, they go about their business at night and sleep in the daytime.
However, the species is prohibited throughout Australia for a number of reasons including its potential to introduce exotic animal diseases and because the species has the ability to become a serious invasive pest in Australia.
In the wild, hedgehogs are solitary animals and they spend most of their time alone except during mating season. They tend to be shy and wary of people. It takes patience and a gentle hand to form a trusting bond with a pet hedgehog. Once a bond is established hedgehogs can be quite playful and occasionally cuddly.
Grunting and snuffling, like a pig = hedgehog out and about, looking for food. Chuffing like a steam train = mating season. Chirping like a baby bird = hungry hoglets in the nest.
A lot of hedgehog owners recommend one tablespoon of food once to twice a day. Most prefer a free feeding schedule. Baby hedgehogs need to have constant access to food. Pregnant and nursing hogs are expected to eat more.
While the room you keep their habitat in may feel comfortable to you, remember that hedgehogs are much smaller and lack the clothing you wear to keep yourself warm. They are quite sensitive to the cold, and can begin to enter hibernation in a room that feels just chilly to you.