Baby hedgehogs must stay awake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wake up little fella – it’s the time of year when hedgehogs start thinking about hibernation – but these babies have to be kept awake somehow.   They are too small to hibernate and because they don’t have big enough body weight, they would just go to sleep and never wake up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So how can we stop these hoglets going to sleep?   The trigger for hibernation might have something to do with blood sugar levels, so keeping them well fed is important.   They are having feeds every two hours at the present time, when they get on to solid food, we’ll keep it as nutritious as possible.  Also we are making sure they have plenty of daylight.

Already, Biggie and Huffie, who are the largest two, are feeding much better than the other three.   They also have their eyes open all the time now, which is fantastic.  Every little bit of progress is good news.   They are also moving around now and are starting to become active.   A bigger box with higher sides is tomorrow’s job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The difference in size is so marked we are sure they must be from different litters.   We’ll never know for sure though.  The little ones still have their eyes closed and don’t move round so much although they are feeding well – until they fall asleep with the teat still in their mouth!

If you can help with our wildlife unit pleases donate and help us save more hedgehogs…… and foxes and birds and badgers and …….all creatures great and small.  Many thanks.