Erinaceus Europaeus - The New Temporary Lodger in my House

DizzyBlue

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Well just had a rescue call as its that time of year.
Some of you may know and a lot of you don't but I have a thing about the British hedgehog
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Have reared quite a few in my time had autumn juveniles live in the house over winter as they are not large enough to survive hibernation, have hand reared orphans and nursed injured ones.

Did a course run by Dr Toni Bunnell back in 2011 (https://www.tonibunnell.co.uk/) crash course in first aid for them not your average thing of food and warmth etc but down to administration of injections etc ruddy nerve wracking that woman has a definite passion and is a real advocate for the hoggies :)

Since then I have reared a few and release in the late spring usually up at my sisters place high on the North York Moors on her rather large land plot where there are no cars, no predators and a human or two to give soft release programme and I get to follow their progress via their wildlife cameras.

So here's my first autumn juvenile for this winter :) seen sitting in the middle of a lawn in the pouring rain this morning, so in the car I leaps on off I trundle to retrieve. Being out during daylight hours alone is a sign of problems. So if you see one out during the day time grab it and ring your local vet they usually have hedgehog rescue contacts plus being wildlife and the hoggies now being in serious decline they will treat them for free.

So little un is now being warmed up with the use of a hot water bottle wrapped in towels and done so can move closer to or away from as desires. Little one is cold, just drying out and weighs in at 338gms too light to survive this coming winter, they need to be minimum of about 450gms so is about 110gms shy of being able to hibernate and survive. Looks like I have a lodger for the winter :)

Have told the people at the place that called me to keep an eye out as there can be up to 5 in a litter of babies so siblings to this one will be about the same size if they are still alive and will also need a helping hand this winter with a place to stay warm so they don't hibernate, fed and taken for vet attention if necessary.

When little un has settled down got warm enough and eaten after I do tick removal will see if I can take a photo of the uber cute little face but at the moment rather than face the paparazzi its more important little one starts to feel a bit better.

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So just changed the lodgers nesting materials and given him his evening meal so took a quickie snap as he sat waiting patiently, he's so ruddy cute but still dangerously under weight :( hasn't put on enough over the last couple of days to give me confidence he will make it ... but will never the less not give up ... its not within my nature to not try and help these cute little nail brushes :hearts1:
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jusr been in to check him as couldn't hear any munching sounds as he was feeding and unfortunately found him laid on his side made him comfy with a warmwater bottle and he has passed away
A harsh task master is Mother Nature and she doesn't pull her punches
Sleep peacefully little one. nite nite x
 
Oh, I am so sorry, I do not know what to say, poor little hog, sleep sound, gain strength and ten over your rainbow bridge.
 
Its just natures way sadly autumn juveniles have a very survival rate for many reason. Wont stop me trying to help the next one or the one after that
 
Nature :×( you did your best. There is a hedgehog rescue a couple of streets away from me but I have never been involved, they seem to do good work
 
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