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Hedgehogs...

Hedgehogs born late in the year may struggle to find enough food and not gain enough weight to survive hibernation. As the weather gets colder, natural food becomes more difficult to find. You can help by putting extra food out at night - not milk as hedgehogs can't digest it properly. Meat based dog or cat food is an excellent food for hedgehogs - a shallow dish of drinking water is also very important.

Many people think that hedgehogs hibernate in October but it depends on weather condition's. During a very mild autumn, hedgehogs may not hibernate until November or even December.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals. If you see a hedgehog out in the day at any time of the year it will be in trouble. A curled up hedgehog in the open daylight is not hibernating, it is simply to ill of injured to make it back to its nest. Even those that appear lively and are running around need specialist help.

If you see a hedgehog out in the daylight hours or have any hedgehog questions please contact the Gower Bird Hospital on 01792 371630.