Hedgehogs

[Speicher]

What do you know about hedgehogs? One largish (perhaps seven inches long) is sat at the side of my house, on some concrete. My two cats will not come in, they are too interested in it. It just lies there, as opposed to curling up in a ball, like I thought they did.

Should I get some strong leather gloves, pick up the hedgehog and put it in the field at the back of my house. It would have to climb a flight of stairs to get there itself, or should I put in under some shrubs in the front garden, not far from where it is now? Or leave it alone?

I thought they were nocturnal animals.

I hope the cats have the sense to leave it alone, but are they going to frighten it to death?

 

[fossyant]

Hope the cat's have flea stuff on...hedghogs are full of them. They apparently like cat food. It's a bit big for a cat, so probably doesn't feel threatened.....

 

[Lisa21]

Generally if a hedgehog is about during the day it is not a good sign, could he have been hit by a car or hurt by a dog or something maybe?

Best if you could put him somewhere quiet and hope he recovers.

If you want to try giving him some food use tinned dog meat or worms, contrary to belief, bread and milk is bad for them.

good luck with him.x

 

[asterix]

What Lisa21 says agrees with my experiences with hedgehogs. Only ailing creatures hang around during daytime.

 

[Speicher]

I saw the cats were trying to chase something, then saw the hedgehog. I gently approached it, and it did not move or curl up. Would it know to stay still, so that it wouldn't get chased? What time of year do hedgehog females have babies around? It might be safer in the field, but much further away from its nest or whatever they have.

It has moved now, but I have often seen them, not necessarily the same one, around. Could it be very thirsty? I obviously have cat food around, not dog food. Yes, it could have been hurt by a dog, but it would be difficult to tell without picking it up. I did not want to pick it up, and cause it more stress after being chased.

 

[Lisa21]

Generally if they feel threatened they will curl up to protect their belly which is soft and free from spines. Its a bit late for young now although there may be some late ones around but with him being out during the day, and not curling up when investigated by the cats, he may be injured.
Cat food is fine for them, and water. He may just have been exhausted or caught by a car and disorientated a bit.Hopefully if hes wandered off hell be ok (crosses fingers)

Dont know why I keep saying "he" by the way!

 

[Speicher]

It could be Mr or Mrs Tiggywinkle, hard to tell really!

Thank you all for your advice. If it happens again, at least I will know what to do. Hopefully he/she was just exhausted or thirsty. There are plenty of large shrubs in the garden, that I could put it in to recover if necessary. I did not want the cats terrorising it tho.

 

[Speicher]

An update on Tiggy

I have just seen it crossing the road into a garden where there are no cats or dogs. It seemed to be moving quite steadily. We have just had a shower of rain, so it should find something to drink and/or cool down. Perhaps its bodyclock needs adjusting at this time of year.

 

[Globalti]

Maybe she came to collect your washing. Did you fall asleep in the garden?

 

[Speicher]

Funny you should say that. I was very comfy on my sun lounger at about 5pm, when it was a bit cooler. Then both neighbours each side decided to mow their lawns at the same time... had to retreat indoors... oh yes, I did leave the washing outside. I wondered where the socks went.