🦔 Wild Hedgehogs – When to Help and When to Leave Them Be
🦔Here’s our seasonal guide to understanding hedgehogs and what to do if you see one
At Little Souls Rescue and Sanctuary, we often receive messages about wild hedgehogs spotted in gardens, roadsides, or during the day. Hedgehogs are wonderful creatures that play an important role in our local ecosystem, and knowing when to step in — and when to let them be — is vital for their survival.
Here’s our seasonal guide
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🌸 Spring (March–May)
Hedgehogs wake up from hibernation and begin searching for food and mates.
They may look thin and slow at first, especially if they've had a tough winter.
✅ When to Help:
If a hedgehog is very small, weak, wobbly, or out during the day.
If it's injured, tangled in netting, or appears stuck.
If it’s out in cold or wet weather, especially early spring when food is still scarce.
🚫 Leave alone if:
It’s large, active, and seen at night — this is perfectly normal behaviour
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☀️ Summer (June–August)
Hedgehogs are most active — raising babies, feeding, and preparing for the colder months.
- You may spot juvenile hedgehogs starting to leave the nest.
✅ **When to Help:**
- If you see a **hoglet alone and out during the day**, especially under 300g.
- If you find a **nest that’s been disturbed** or babies crying loudly.
- Injured or fly-covered hedgehogs need urgent help.
🚫 **Leave alone if:**
- It’s active, healthy-looking, and foraging **at night**.
🍂 **Autumn (September–November)**
Young hedgehogs born late in the year need to reach at least **600g** to survive hibernation.
- Many need extra support to gain enough weight before winter.
✅ **When to Help:**
- If you find a hedgehog **under 600g from late October onwards**, even if it's healthy.
- If it’s **out during the day** or seems lethargic.
- If it appears to be nesting somewhere unsafe (e.g. compost bins, sheds).
🚫 **Leave alone if:**
- It’s healthy, large enough, and preparing a nest for hibernation.
❄️ Winter (December–February
Hedgehogs usually hibernate. Any hedgehog seen out and about in winter is cause for concern.
✅ When to Help:
If you see a hedgehog out in the cold, snow, or frost, especially during the day.
If it’s clearly underweight, shivering, or sluggish.
🚫 Leave alone if:
It's hibernating safely in a sheltered area and not disturbed.
📌 General Signs a Hedgehog Needs Help:
Seen out in daylight (especially if wobbling or slow).
Underweight (smaller than a can of beans).
Covered in flies, ticks, or wounds.
Trapped in fencing, drains, netting, etc.
Crying sounds, especially from babies.
Limping or dragging a leg.
💚 What You Can Do:
Always wear gloves when handling wild hedgehogs.
Place them in a high-sided box with a towel, a warm hot water bottle (well wrapped), and some cat food or kitten biscuits (no milk).
Keep them indoors and quiet while you seek advice.
📞 If you are ever unsure, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Little Souls Rescue and Sanctuary — we’re here to help.
Together, we can protect these beautiful little souls and give them a better chance to thrive in the wild. 🦔🌿
