Hi Gwenz 1991
That’s good advice from Williamc to look out for a carer. Always useful to know where the nearest one is for all sorts of eventualities. But, yes, it seems likely that what you heard was two ‘courting’ hogs. It doesn’t always lead to anything, but just as well to be prepared. The hoglets need to be over 450g to have a chance of surviving hibernation.
If it’s a warm autumn they can be allowed to keep putting on weight for a while (if they are already independent from Mum) but if it is really cold they may need help sooner. It is always best to check with your local carer if you find an underweight hoglet, as they are the ones who know the weather conditions near you.
Likewise if Mum goes off to hibernate and the young aren’t yet independent they will need help anyway (in other words if she deserts them). That is when you might see tiny hoglets out and about on their own. The same would apply if she deserts them for any other reason.
Last year there were two hoglets (and Mother) here late into November. The weather was mild, so it was ok. They were both over the required 450g. One disappeared to hibernate within a day or so of when the Mother did, but the other one just decided not to and kept visiting all winter. But don’t worry too much about timings at this stage. You will find that people start talking about it on the Forum when it’s time and most of the hogs go off to hibernate normally.
I love it that the little one was sitting in the bowl and the adult confined to the edges! Sounds typical hoglet and yes, they are really cute! Most adult hogs seem to be incredibly tolerant of hoglets (until they reach a certain size) and allow them to get away with completely taking possession of a bowl of food from them – even if the hoglets aren’t theirs. I always think it’s a really endearing characteristic. Even the grumpiest male will usually give way to a hoglet! And the hoglets take full advantage, needless to say!
