A case of mistaken identity?

Originally when I peeked under Herbert's spines I was pretty confident in my assessment of the tackle situation, (albeit quite small and furry) however now I am beginning to have my doubts. It's largely a matter of toilet ettiquette that has cast doubt in my mind. You see apparently little boy hedgehogs are far more likely to pooh in their beds than little girl hedgehogs (I am now restraining myself from further comment) - I'm told it's something to do with not having to share a bed as a grown up whereas the girls of course have babies to consider at some point. In the last few days Herbert has been quite scrupulous in exiting the bed chamber to dump his/her load. So for the minute we are pondering whether we should change our little guests name from HErbert to SHErbert - maybe I'll have another peek and see if anything is clearer.

Anyway sexuality aside the hedgehog is making great progress. His weight has increased from 140gms on the day he was found to 350gms and he's moved on from completely mashed food to lumpier chunks and some nibbly bits (raisins, kitten biscuits and nuts) as well as developing a keen taste for worms and slugs (good hodger!). I'm keeping all contact to a minimum so am having to curb all my impulses to stroke and cuddle even though he is so adorable cute. He still retains his roll reflex and will freeze and roll into a ball at sudden noises or when picked up and he's quite vocal with hissing and grunting to warn me away - all of which are positive signs for his re-introduction to the wild.

(this picture shows how much he's grown in 3 weeks)

The trouble is that the leaves have started falling and there's a nip to the air so autumn is definitely arriving and the thoughts of little hedgehogs should be now turning to building their nest for hibernation (or a hibernacula). It's now a race against time to fatten him up enough to get him through the winter ahead.

Comments

[Maddy]

He/she is just so cute, you have done such a great job in caring for the lovely hedghog. Mmmmm very cold winters in the UK, I'd be worried about that too.

Have a lovely weekend.

[carolyn]

Will he / she make it in time or will the little hoglet be spending winter with the little cotton rabbits? The adventure continues....

[starry]

Awww how sweet. I haven't seen any real live hedgehogs for ages. Wishing you luck fattening him.

[Lucy]

Good luck good luck. He or she does seem to be expanding at a rapid rate so hopefully you will be sorted out in time to stuff him under a pile of leaves when the time comes. Loving all the pictures. What fun you must be having!

[Nikki]

Y'all are still in my thoughts... I hope the 'bert gets all fattened up in time!

As for tring to check the tackle... I sympathize. When I brought home my (now cat) Pepper, I flipped her over to see if she needed a he name or a she name and flipped her back over and called my mom to ask about kitten bits. She started laughing at me (I was 30 at the time) until I reminded her that Pepper was just 6 wks old and they were some mighty little bits to be trying to decifer :)

[cd&m]

Herbert or Sherbert sure does look well! Good Luck with the fattening up.

[nicolette]

I love to read about (S)herbert! Hope (s)he going to make it in the real world!

[Monkee Maker]

Awww, so sweet! Would it really be so wrong to keep him as a pet? Sigh. Ok, I already know the answer to that one. But aren't you tempted??

[Jane]

Amazing how fast (S)Herbert is growing, good luck and hope all goes well

[carolyn]

S/he is a lucky little hedgehog to have you a such an able rescuer.
Thanks for the photos.

[marie]

Hi Julie

Glad to hear that Herbert is doing well and gaining weight...also to read about the travels of your little bunny who found her way safely back home.

Marie x

[Sue]

herbert or Sherbert is so cute. I hope he survives in the wild and has a little family of its own. Perhaps you could make a knitted hedgehog to remember him by.

[ruth]

Herbert is doing so well, maybe a hedgehog home in your garden could be a possibility, I have seen some when looking for a compost bin.

[tricia.reilly]

S/He looks great but I'm supposing yours isn't the hedgehog who survived the trip in the washing machine?!?!

[little jenny wren]

I hope it is a girl because Sherbert is such a cute name. I do have a pattern for a knitted hedgehog, I don't know why but I do.

[Michaela]

Can't you help him along by building a nest for him? He might want to come back later if you do. Get catching all the slugs and snails to fatten him up - I've got lots here, would you like me to send them over?

[Hazel]

It is so much fun to read the antics and progress of your cute little hedgehog, be it a girl or boy :D

Hazel

[Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage]

I just came across your blog and I'm so glad I visited. This little guy (or girl) is going to do just fine in your care. This is an amazing undertaking, and I applaude you for it! Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

[Lesley]

Wow - I can't believe that's the same hodger -you have done so well with him/her. If the toilet thing is one way of telling I wonder if my DH was a hedgey in a former life. Joke - I would seriously draw the line at that going on in the marital bed!
Want any slugs? Go on - got lots of big fat juicy ones . . .

[June]

Well done on raising the little hedgehog so well. We have between 3 and 5 hedgehogs visiting our garden each night and one in particular was very small, so we have been fattening it up and following your little hogs progress along with ours!
I shall miss our little families when they hibernate.