Timing of hibernation
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Just interested in this question. Last year, we discovered we had hedgehogs in the garden, so we built a feeding station, bought a hibernation box and camera, and watched our hedgehogs sticking around to feed right into the quite cold weather at the end of November. (None used the hibernation box though.) This year, one hedgehog had chosen the hibernation box as his den over the last month of more. Here we are, not yet at the end of October and remarkably warm weather, and our hedgehogs have stopped visiting, and the resident hedgehog has built a substantial nest in the hibernation box, and is no longer venturing out at all. A week ago, he would sneak out for a single quick feed and drink, and then vanish back to the box. So, I’m just interested in this variation of hibernation. Have we fed them so well this year, they feel more ready to hibernate earlier?
I’m interested in this as we have a similar situation.
For the past month we have only seen one, which appeared to be sleeping in the provided accomodation and would visit the feed box several times during the night returning to the house provided after each venture.
For the last 3 nights we haven’t seen it and the food hasn’t been touched, we’re pretty sure its in the house but obviously have no wish to disturb it, hibernation? seems a tad early or could it be a late batch of babies? eek.Hibernation timing is not fully understood but it does not relate solely to temperature. Other factors, i.e. availability of natural food, etc. are also involved. Some male hogs will hibernate as early as September.
It’s possible that human activity i.e. feeding hogs may have some impact. But that also may be keeping more hogs alive i.e. late hoglets and those that choose not to hibernate at all (often also hoglets).
Hogs are known to emerge at time/s during hibernation and may even make new nests,
It’s really important to leave water available for the hogs all day every day, including during normal hibernation time.
Good luck to all hogs for a successful hibernation time – however they choose to spend it.
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