Hedgehog identification

[Rhona]

Hi,
We are new to feeding and videoing our hedgehogs. We are struggling to identify them apart. We definitely have two, as one rolled into a ball while the other pushed it down the slope in our garden. The first ‘hog comes in around 22:30, then at regular intervals thereafter. Some go directly to a dish, we have 2 dishes of food, and others seem so sniff and wander until the food has been found. We also have several water dishes and 2 hogitats.
Can you give any hints or tips on identifying them? And how can we feed them when we are away?
Thank you.

[Nic]

Hi Rhona
I wrote some information last year about marking hogs. Please forgive me for not writing it again, but here is the link.
https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/forums/topic/tolerant-hedgies/

Please don’t be tempted to mark the hogs. It really is easier to identify them naturally than many people think, but you might also be interested in BHPS’s informtion re. Marking hogs.

Can I ‘mark’ my hedgehogs?
We’re pretty sure a hedgehog would rather not be marked, but if you are going to do it, please do ensure that you use a non-toxic water-based marker and mark just a few spines of the hedgehog. Keep the mark away from the hedgehog’s face and mark it in the garden on the ground rather than picking it up/bringing it indoors. Please don’t use red as people may mistake it for blood and ‘rescue’ it.  Do not make hedgehog conspicuous to predators.  We have seen some very sad images of poor hedgehogs practically covered in paint!  If you are watching the hedgehogs on a wildlife camera you will often be able to tell them apart over time without the need for marking
https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/faq/

Re. feeding the hogs when you are away: What we feed should really only be supplementary so they should be o.k. when you are away, but I know many people like to make sure they still have access to their usual food. The best thing to do is to ask a friend, neighbour or relative to feed them for you, if possible. The really important thing is to leave plenty of water around for them. Large plant saucers are ideal for this so that they are wide enough not to be easily tipped over, but shallow enough that hoglets can’t become trapped in them. If you leave some in the shade the water will last longer, but, again, ideally, ask someone to put fresh water out.

In the long term, the ideal thing is to make your garden a better habitat for the hogs and encourage neighbours to do the same, so that they can find their own natural food.
https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/help-hedgehogs/helpful-garden-features/

[Rhona]

Thank you, Nic.

[Author]

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