Hogging the covers

Every year, as autumn turns to winter, Tiggywinkles sees a big increase in the number of very small hedgehogs brought to our hospital.

These “autumn juveniles” are usually born late in the year and simply don’t have enough time to grow big and strong before the cold weather arrives.

Hedgehogs need to weigh at least 600g to survive hibernation. This fat reserve keeps them going while they’re asleep through the coldest months. Sadly, if they go into hibernation too small, they often won’t make it through the winter. That’s where our team steps in.

From November onwards, our hospital fills up with tiny hogs weighing as little as 200g – about the same as a mug of tea! They stay with us through the winter, getting expert care, plenty of nutritious food, and cosy warm nests. Our goal is to get them to a healthy weight so, when spring arrives, they can be released back into the wild where they belong.

Grace, a student at Tiggy’s, shares what it’s like behind the scenes:

“Our wards are packed with hedgehogs right now! Each one needs regular feeding, health checks, and lots of clean bedding. It’s hard work but incredibly rewarding. Watching them grow strong enough to return to the wild is the best part of the job.”

You can help too! If you find a hedgehog out on a cold day, it might be in trouble. Visit helpwildlife.co.uk to find your nearest rescue or give Tiggywinkles a call on 01844 292292 for advice – quick action gives the hogs the best chance of survival.

Caring for these little ones is a huge job, and it wouldn’t be possible without our amazing supporters. If you’d like to help, you can adopt a hedgehog with Tiggywinkles – it’s a wonderful way to support their care throughout the winter and beyond.