On Thursday we had a new addition to our family - meet Herbert (I wanted to call him Hogwort but Amy over-ruled me!)
He's a baby hedgehog (hoglet) approx 4 weeks old, 140gms and orphaned so will be staying with us until he's big enough to make it on his own. For now he's living in a crate in the garage with a snuggly bed made from an old towel, shredded newspaper and a little hay. He's chowing down on chicken kitten food mixed with a little goats milk and although he has 4 ticks is otherwise healthy and alert. I'm hand rearing him with support from an official carer of the British Hedgehog preservation society who have an excellent website packed full of information and hedgehoggy facts.
If you find an injured or sick hedgehog you should always contact them or the RSPCA and ask for advice before removing an animal from the wild. Since Herbert was found alone in broad daylight and calling near to another dead baby hodger it was clear he needed help and wasn't going to make it on his own. We're now trying to build his weight up to around 600gms so that he'll be able to be released into the wild ready for his winter hibernation. Will keep you posted on his progress!
