BURNTISLAND HEDGEHOG HAVEN
🏆 MULTI AWARD WINNING RESCUE 🏆
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Sadly half of hedgehogs don’t make it to their first year. Those that do typically live between 4-5 years old but they can live until 10 years old.
Hedgehogs eat a variety of insects in the wild but insects are in decline due to gardens being too tidy, use of pesticides, flooding and climate change.
Caterpillars and beetles are the main favourites they like to eat.
At certain times of year (particularly during the winter) insects are hard to find so by putting some kitten biscuits out or meaty dog or cat food you are providing a lifeline for these spiky friends.
You can find information on what to feed – click here
Yes but they are bottom of the list for choice. They will eat them if there is nothing else about as they are not the easiest to eat and not the tastiest (I can imagine!)
Slugs and snails actually can carry lungworm so this then can be passed onto the hedgehogs if they eat them.
Please don’t reach for the slug pellets though as this will kill not only the slugs but any animal who then eats the poisoned slug!
Yes if safe to do so meaning they are not found next to a very busy road or other hazards.
It is so important that hedgehogs go back to the same area if they possibly can especially the older ones as they will have a mental map of the area and know where the food sources etc are.
Hedgehogs follow the same route most nights so to remove them from an area for no good reason is wrong.
We always like to release into a garden that they are free to come and go from with food and water available plus a nest box as this gives them a head start.
The best time is at the end of April when hibernation has ended and before the nesting time for babies begins.
Do not use any harsh cleaning detergents, only use a pet safe one and refill with fresh barley straw.
You can read our guidance on nest boxes – click here
Females are pregnant for around 4 weeks (32 days) and have two litters a year. It really depends on the weather to how soon or late in the year this happens but typically breeding season is between May and October. Due to climate change we are finding hoglets being born later in the year due to warmer autumns.
The little ones sadly suffer once leaving the nest when the winter starts which is where they really appreciate the food put out for them.
The average litter size is around 4-5 hoglets. They are born blind and deaf.
They will go on foraging trips with mum from 4 weeks old and will be fully independent at 6 weeks old.
Not all hedgehogs hibernate particularly now with our temperatures so up and down due to climate change.
Hedgehogs can often change nests too.
A hedgehog nest is called a hibernacula and on average a hedgehog can have 5 different hibernaculas during the winter.
Natural food is scarce during the winter so they would really appreciate some food left out and a bowl of shallow water. You can find out what to feed them – click here
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