Hedgehog – lodgings
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Hello, we have a hog that has over wintered in a des res in our back garden. We can tell that it is a female and appears to be very pregnant. I have a webcam that has been recording her comings and goings. For example over the last 7 days she comes out for a scratch and yawn around 2045-2100. She then goes for a wander returning between 0430 – 0530. Unfortunately we have not seen her for the last 24 hours. Do they go elsewhere to give birth? Could the sudden up turn in the weather temperature have a bearing?
I would be interested in understanding their behaviour a little better.
Hi Royc
What is it that makes you think the hog is a female? It isn’t really easy to tell whether a hog is pregnant or not – some hogs are just big!
Unless the hog didn’t hibernate, it seems a bit early for a female to be about to produce. Females tend to come out of hibernation later than the males – they go into hibernation later – they have hoglet raising duties to attend to, which the males don’t. The peak time for hog births are June and July. But, if both a male and a female chose not to hibernate, it’s possible youngsters could be produced early.
All hogs do change nests from time to time, which is sensible to keep external parasites to a minimum. Females do, though, normally make special nests to give birth, so if she is a she and is pregnant, it may be that she would make a birthing nest in a different place. Bear in mind that hedgehogs ranges will cover several gardens. The males, in particular, can cover up to 2 miles in a night.
Good luck. Fingers crossed for the patter of hoglet feet sooner or later.
Happy hog watching.
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