They’re cute, spiky, and can be a gardeners’ best friend as they eradicate your garden of slugs and beetles that are harmful to your plants. Yes, we’re talking about the humble hedgehog! A delight to see in our garden, these nocturnal creatures are fascinating to watch, however if you see one out and about at this time of year, it could be a sign that all is not well.

Hedgehogs are unique among mammals for their ability to truly hibernate. When they do, they may appear to be simply sleeping, but they're actually in a state of torpor. Their body temperature drops significantly, slowing down their bodily functions to conserve energy. During this period, they neither eat nor drink, relying solely on stored body fat for sustenance.

To ensure their survival through the winter, hedgehogs must consume as much food as possible prior to hibernation. Those that fail to gain sufficient weight before the autumn season may not be able to hibernate successfully. Such hedgehogs are often seen being active during daylight hours and require immediate assistance from a wildlife rescue centre.

Hedgehogs typically hibernate between October and March, although in milder winters they may still be active well into December. It's crucial to avoid disturbing a hibernating hedgehog as even slight disruption can deplete their energy reserves, which may be irreplaceable during winter when natural food sources like beetles and caterpillars are scarce. Therefore, it is important to know where they may be, and how we can avoid disturbing them during this time.

A hedgehog will never hibernate in an exposed place, instead seeking out dry, sheltered, and secluded places, such as log and leaf piles, large compost heaps, or the spaces beneath sheds. A well-placed hedgehog house can also provide suitable shelter. It's important to resist the urge to check on a hedgehog house, as any disturbance can disrupt the hedgehog's hibernation.

If you do accidentally disturb a hibernating hedgehog, cover it back up immediately with leaves and leave out some supplementary food as it will likely need to replace lost energy if it wakes up. Be mindful that the old wives’ tales of leaving out bread and milk for hedgehogs are, in fact, completely false and these foodstuffs are actually incredibly damaging as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant! Instead, leave tinned dog or cat food, dried dog or cat biscuits, specialist hedgehog food, and plenty of water.

You can also encourage hedgehogs to hibernate in your garden by creating natural leaf piles, logs stacks, or a secluded hedgehog house, but remember to resist the urge to check if you have a prickly visitor!

If you do encounter a hedgehog out in the open that appears to be sleeping or hibernating, it is likely very ill and requires immediate attention from a wildlife rescue centre. Use gloves to gently pick up the hedgehog and place it in a high-sided box lined with a towel. Keep it warm, using a covered hot water bottle if necessary, and contact your local rescue centre immediately.

If you have found an injured or sick hedgehog and don’t know where your nearest rescue centre is, you can call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801.