When should you rescue a hedgehog? An expert guide

Hedgehogs are the most saved wild animal in Great Britain. Here’s our guide to help you know when they need rescuing – and when it’s best to leave them alone.

As the nights draw in, our spiny friends are often seen prowling gardens at dusk. In the pastthe public was advised to round up underweight hedgehogs in the autumn and keep them indoors until spring, as it was thought they would not survive hibernation.

Ecologists now know that smaller hedgehogs exist can survive the winter. In fact, climate change is bringing winters to Britain warmer and wetter and residual temperatures higher during the fallHedgehogs stay active longer. This means that some do not go into hibernation until late December or Januarygiving them plenty of time to arrive.

There are over 300 hedgehog rescues in Britain, but in autumn and winter many of them are full and cannot gain access. A 2006 study estimated that this was the case 40,000 hedgehogs in rehabilitation in Great Britain alone.

Small but healthy hedgehogs may take some time to reach a healthy release weight. These fall juveniles can “bed block” by taking up space that could be used to treat an unhealthy or injured pig.

When a rescue is not necessary

Once a hedgehog has been accepted into a rescue, it cannot be released until it has the same opportunities as a healthy adult wild hedgehog. A 2019 study by Nottingham Trent University showed that rehabilitated hedgehogs released during the winter months weighing 600 grams can meet these criteria. The research ensured that the temperature at release was above freezing, but otherwise provided no additional support for the hedgehogs.

This means that it is no longer necessary to keep hedgehogs in shelter until spring. Good news for hedgehogs, but not everyone is aware of it.

A hedgehog at dusk surrounded by orange leaves. — “Thanks, but maybe I don’t need your help.”
Photo shoot/Shutterstock only

Some wildlife rescues keep hedgehogs indoors during the winter and release them in the spring – anytime from late February to May. Hedgehogs emerge from hibernation when temperatures are consistently above 10°C and will begin breeding early in the year. Hedgehogs that stay indoors in winter miss an important part of the breeding season.

Some hedgehogs may miss out on breeding altogether, reducing the overall number of litters, or have piglets later in the year. The population may lose some of its genetic variation (a bulwark against disease) if fewer hedgehogs breed.

Keeping animals in captivity can also cause these tension. Animals in the wild can experience stress like anything comparable to confronting a predator. Long-term stress can reduce reproduction, affect immunity And cause bad health.

Taking a wild animal into captivity should not be done lightly. Capturing animals, handling, transport And to research these are all things that have been shown to cause stress.

So how do you know if hedgehogs really need your help?

When you need to intervene

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so animals that are outside during the day will need help in the fall and winter. In the summer months you will occasionally see pregnant hedgehogs building nests during the day, but in autumn and winter the only hedgehogs active during the day are unwell.

Any injured hedgehog will need to be rescued. They may drag a leg, bleed, wobble, or walk in circles. Hedgehogs face many dangers in neighborhoods, including nearby ones traffic, grass trimmers, dogs, nets and bonfires.

Body condition is more important than just weight. The photos below show two hedgehogs of similar weight. The left one is a very healthy hedgehog, while the right one is starving.

Two hedgehogs next to each other, one fat and healthy, the other thin and unhealthy. — A healthy young hedgehog (left) and a poorly mature hedgehog (right).
Wild boar hedgehog rescue/Naomi Joseph

When curled up, healthy hedgehogs are round and their weight is evenly distributed across their shoulders and hips. Hedgehogs with a pointed tail and protruding hips or shoulders are in poor condition and are most in need of rescue.

Gardens can be a great habitat for hedgehogs. By creating areas that provide wild food – piles of logs, long grass and compost piles – they can dig for worms, bugs, beetles and other insects. Also don’t collect leaves; piles of them can attract insects and provide excellent ground cover for hedgehog nests. All wildlife needs fresh water, so be sure to provide a shallow bowl as well.

If you see or encounter an injured hedgehog during the day, pick it up with a towel and place it in a tall plastic box with a hot water bottle. Contact your nearest rescue service for advice or take the animal to your home nearest vet. You can find a rescue on www.helpwildlife.co.uk.

Remember: hedgehogs that are out at night and appear healthy are best left in the wild.

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