Winter is nearly here and hedgehogs will be starting to think about hibernation.
Hedgehogs are one of the few mammals that are true hibernators. During hibernation hedgehogs aren’t asleep; instead they drop their body temperature to match their surroundings and enter a state of torpor (a state of physical or mental inactivity). This allows them to save energy and slow down other bodily functions making normal activity impossible.

Over the next month, hedgehog visitors to your garden will be trying to get as much body fat built up as possible so they can be ready to hibernate. Keep putting food out until you notice the food stops being taken, or less and less is being eaten. You can then gradually stop putting food out. Leave water out for them in a shallow dish year-round, but not milk as this can make them ill as they’re lactose intolerant.
‘Hogs will love a combination of meat-based wet dog or cat food as a supplement to their natural diet of earwigs, earthworms, beetles, etc.
They’ll hibernate anywhere; a log pile, under the shed, in a compost heap or you could make your own hedgehog house to give them a safe place to nest.
During milder days over the winter period, you may notice ‘hog activity in your garden, so you could put some food out for a short period until it gets cold again. Sometimes they wake early and look for a quick bite to eat before returning to slumber.
Take care not to disturb a nesting hedgehog, so avoid opening up the ‘hog house, clearing leaves or log piles as this might be where they’ve made their home for those cold winter months.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society can be contacted on 01584 890801 if you have concerns about a ‘hog.