Hi Trevathick
I think people use straw and hay. Although, I think hay would be more easily moulded and woven. The hibernation nest is usually quite an elaborate construction with a mound of vegetation with a ‘chamber’ in the middle which the hedgehog can hibernate in. But if the hedgehog goes out the chamber should remain. Amazing construction – I don’t think we would manage nearly so well!
But most hogs prefer to choose their own nesting material, so it’s a good idea to leave loads nearby so that they can select what they want. The advantage of leaves is that they can layer them and create a waterproof and quite sturdy construction. But they need loads of leaves. Imagine that they would fill a whole box with them, but layered together, so think of the amount you think would fill the box and then multiply that several times. But some leaves is better than no leaves.
