Hi SusanR
I know it can be very tempting, but jackietb is right, it’s not a good idea to open a hog box when there may be a hibernating hedgehog in there. It could disturb the hog, but also possibly the nest as well, depending on how well it’s built. So please try to resist the temptation.
Hedgehogs are the most amazing animals, but hibernation is one of the most naturally dangerous times of year for them. They have to put on two special types of fat. One type is to keep their metabolism ticking over until they emerge and the other is to help them to boost their metabolism to enable them to emerge from hibernation. They do sometimes naturally emerge for brief periods during hibernation and hopefully there would be enough fat for them to do that. But there may not be enough for other ‘unscheduled’ emergences.
But hogs also need to maintain a constant temperature and they build their hibernations nests to just the right depth to insulate them accordingly. So it’s also important that their nests aren’t disturbed.
There are some hogs who decide not to hibernate and if anyone has one of those visiting, just continue to feed as usual. It’s also very important to leave water available all day every day, all year round, whether you know any hogs are around or not. If a hog emerges during hibernation it might welcome a drink.
I know hibernation time is always very worrying but all we can do is hope that the hogs return from hibernation safe and well in the Spring and do our best not to disturb them in the meantime. We all miss the hogs when they are away, but it’s always a joy to see them return in the Spring.
Fingers crossed for all hibernating hogs.
