Hedgehogs: Preparing for hibernation

Eat, eat, eat is the motto for our native hedgehogs in autumn. Now is the time to build up sufficient energy reserves and prepare for the upcoming hibernation. If you want to support these sweet four-legged friends, you need to provide a quiet place for them to hibernate. Well-rested, they can start a new family in the spring.

Protection is the top priority for a hedgehog's habitat. Hedgehogs feel right at home anywhere there are bushes, walls, and places to hide. Many hedgehogs have been able to make their home in our hedgehog villa in the past. However, that doesn't mean that hedgehogs are shy. Anyone who has a dog that occasionally eats outside on the patio or in the garden knows what we're talking about. It's not uncommon for unusual noises from outside to drift into the bedroom at night, noises that you can't identify. The solution: There's leftover dog or cat food, and a hedgehog has found it. Hedgehogs can really make extremely loud smacking noises😅.

If you ever come across a hedgehog in your garden, chances are it will stay with you. Hedgehogs are nocturnal and very agile. They will then go in search of food, often covering several kilometers.

How can I help hedgehogs in the garden?

Hedgehogs hibernate in early to mid-November. From September to November, their only thought is about food. Hedgehogs are predominantly carnivores and, in the wild, feed on worms and insects. To help hedgehogs survive the cold season, you can offer them grain-free cat food with at least 60% meat content. Sunflower seeds, corn, and chopped peanuts round out a nutritious diet for hedgehogs. Please do not give hedgehogs milk, as it causes diarrhea. A bowl of fresh water is the perfect addition to their food.