Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs originated in England and were introduced to the South Island of New Zealand around 1870-1890 period. Later they moved into the North Island where they thrived due to the warmer climate and longer summers.

When in danger hedgehogs will roll themselves into a spiny ball to protect themselves from predators. Sadly thousands of hedgehogs are killed each year on the road.

The Wellington SPCA does not recommend you keep hedgehogs as pets, but if a hedgehog makes its home in your garden it will become friendly if properly treated. If for any special reason you need to keep a hedgehog indoors for a brief period, provide a sleeping box with some earth, hay, and leaves. Keep this in a warm place.

Hibernation

As winter approaches the hedgehog will find a sheltered spot and curl up to sleep for the whole of the winter, sometimes if the weather is good he’ll wake and look for food. In New Zealand hedgehogs will only hibernate for a short period of time, due to our mild climate.

Hedgehog hazards
Rubbish is a major hazard, they can get their heads stuck in tins, plastic binders from drink cans or discarded yoghurt or cream containers. Garden ponds, cattle stops and drains can be death traps for hedgehogs, so cover any ponds or drains with mesh.

Orphans

Hedgehogs can be orphaned if their mothers are killed on the road, or they may desert their babies if the nest is disturbed, small hedgehogs will quickly become cold and they can die from hypothermia. Baby hedgehogs will squeak loudly if hungry or distressed. It is vital the baby hedgehog is warmed; use a heat pad or hot water bottle. Wrap the hedgehog in an old blanket or jumper, change the bedding often.

Feeding

Baby hedgehogs can be fed using a spoon or small pipette; goat’s milk or puppy and kitten milk replacer is used for raising baby hedgehogs. Cows milk can cause stomach upsets so should be avoided. Always warm the milk to body temperature. Adult hedgehogs are insectivores/omnivores in the wild. Hedgehogs will eat cat jellimeat and sniff out slugs, snails, worms and beetles to crunch on. You can put out a dish of water but not cows milk, as this will cause stomach upsets.

Health

Hedgehogs are nocturnal; they come out at night to find food.
If hedgehogs are seen during the day they may be ill or injured, if the hedgehog is sick keep it warm and contact a vet as soon as possible.

Hedgehog droppings can be bright green due to a lack of food, if the hedgehog is being fed cat food the droppings may be firm and brown. If the droppings are runny the hedgehog may be sick and you will need to see a vet.

Hedgehogs can also get fleas; hedgehog fleas however only bite hedgehogs, use bird mite powders to control the fleas. If the hedgehog has bald patches he may have mites or ringworm.

Orphaned hedgehogs should not be released into the wild until it reaches a body weight of 625 grams, then it will have a better chance of survival. Always release hedgehogs where other hedgehogs are known to live. Choose a place with trees, hedges or bush and away from busy roads.

Reproduction

A hedgehog litter can vary in size from 1-8 babies. Newborns are pink and bald; the hedgehog should have a good dense coat of prickles once it reaches the age of three weeks. Baby hedgehogs are born after4-6 weeks.