One night I was coming back at home, it was pretty late and temperature was around 0 degrees. Time to park the car and while the lights were still turned on I notice a hedgehog just in front of me, in the facing garden. I get then a little bit closer but not too much and notice that he's breathing quite heavily as I see the spines coming up and down pretty quickly. Ok, I think that I've scared him and I turn off the lights. But he continues to stay there. I realize that he's probably smelling me hence I leave the place to allow him to get somewhere else.

2 days ago in the morning (around 10am) I was taking away the snow from the car and I see the hedgehog (not sure if it was the same) litterally walking in front of the main entrance door of the building going from one side to the other and then disappearing again into the garden.

Now:

1) Aren't the hedgehogs supposed to sleep during the entire winter?
2) Isn't too cold for an hedgehog to stay outside with 0 or -2 degrees?

I've talked to a couple of friends and some of them said that probably somebody destroyed his "home" and it has been waken up from hibernation. Or probably he's starving and he came out in search of food?

Here and there I've also read that if a hedgehog wakes up from hibernation it means that he's sick and have very few possibilities of surviving

To remedy to this I've taken in consideration the possibility of bringing him into my flat but I guess it would sh** everywhere and probably would get into depression due to the change of environment. The best solution would probably be to build an "home" for him but just figure how badly my swiss neighbours would look at me while I build a tunnel in some corner of the garden placing leaves inside ... adding the fact that I would be unable to give them an explanation as my german stays to zero.

Is there a way to save an helvetic hedgehog?

That is such a kind idea. I doubt that it would poo everywhere, once they are asleep don't they stay asleep and not get up to go to the loo?
In your situation (and I'm glad that I am not, it could get expensive for me) I would try a vet for advice. Or the Zoo.
Good for you for being concerned. I have never seen a hedgehog, mind you, I am not usually out after dark

I may be wrong but it may be just a little too early for hibernation, even though this cold snap seems a little early. You could leave a small dish of cat food out for it if you're worried he can't get enough food.

Animals tend to have a much greater survival instinct than we namby pamby humans sometimes think.

Stiggywinkles has some advice ... as does the British Hedhog Assoc


nice to see the other side of Fabio ...

hi Fabio, there is a hedgehog ward (no kidding - "Igelstation) here in Zurich, which looks after ill and injured hedgehogs. I am more than happy to try and help with the German if you're interested in getting in touch with them:

http://www.izz.ch

There are some descriptions of how to recognize a sick hedgehog under "Erste Hilfe." Like I said, PM me if you need help with the German.

Ciao Fabio,

We have hedgehogs in our yard - they are still active too. They usually hibernate under large ferns or leaf piles. So they should be ok. If you can, put some dry leaves and or straw in an turned around box with a small opening and hide it under a bush... most likely however they can take care of themselves (if they dont get run over that is).

Cheers,
S

It's been nice to read so many replies to a thread that I thought it wouldn't have been interesting for the most. Now I feel a bit reassured after having read what Stephanwold said, but all the other replies in general have been very useful though.

I will try to understand where this hedgehog made his house and eventually will try to see if he's in demand of food - I know they like fresh fruit and insects, I could possibly provide the first.. but which kind of fruit? Could seedless grape be appreciated?

Thanks everyone

In our yard they always ate these tiny wild strawberries and slugs. Yum Yum Yum. Start there and good luck with your little prickly buddy.

Darkphoenix

I'm not sure they eat fruit. Aren't the carnivors? (bugs & slugs?) I think grumpygrapefruit is right: feed them cat food.

I've been fortunate enough to watch one drink from our pond. On the way back into hiding, its stopped and ate some wild strawberries (Walderdbeeren), but those cannot be found this time of year.

"European hedgehogs eat earthworms, insects, eggs, young birds, and dead animals. Most of these animals look for food during the daytime but some are nocturnal."

Yum

This is such a nice post. I hope everything goes well with your suppport efforts. Keep us up to date.

Cheers,
Pekka

hi Fabio, my curiousity gets the better of me. Any more hedgehog sightings since?

Never ever seen since then... think it has finally hibernated?

Btw I would be very surprised to see one now... -4C here in Zurich, makes me desire to hibernate myself too

I hope so. Gosh, those little buggers are cute. Cool thread, by the way . I expect pictures should the little guy show up in your garden again come spring.

As for yourself, may I suggest a visit to some thermal baths, like in Scuol or Zurzach, as a stand-in for hibernation? That and a nice, hearty meal afterwards does wonders for the spirit sometimes when it gets this cold out...

This hedgehog thing made me regret to not own a camera phone, but the only time I had one I've lost it a few days after the purchase with consequent 250 euro loss

Never tried thermal baths, I'd rather prefer a 50mt pool..

It seems hedgehogs aren't sleeping this winter.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/w...st/7230242.stm

Would it not be possible to create an artificial environment in which they would hibernate ?

I'd go to a fishing shop and buy some earthworms. You can be 100% sure that its good for them, and there's probably some benefit in keeping them accustomed to what they naturally eat.

I love hedgehogs.

I may be getting my facts mixed but I thought hedgehogs hibernated from around November as I remember always having to check our bonfire for them on firework night