When is it time to worry?

[Jackietb]

I know I had three hogs go into hibernation in my three houses, mum and two hoglets. I have been putting food out for them but nothing has been taken over the winter, not my the hogs anyway, I have one very rotund mouse who just about fits under one of the hog houses now!!

When is it time to worry that I haven’t seen any of them yet. I am on the south coast and I know they could have woken and wandered off during the winter but I was hoping not all three of them would have disappeared.

I guess I don’t check the hog houses out until April but I am worried by the lack of sightings or food being taken.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[daffydill]

Hi Jackietb
I’m relieved to read your post as it is the same situation here. Other posters are reporting seeing hogs again and food being taken but I haven’t had any signs in my garden yet so a bit anxious for them.
I’ve put hoggie biscuits out undercover since my last sighting in December and have found a pair of blackbirds come every day for them and really love hoggie biscuits, I’m sure they think it’s their treat – but that is all that is eating them!
I’m in the south-west and have wet and windy but mild winters so hoped for a sighting by now.
I treated myself to a wildlife camera at Xmas but unfortunately it has a fault and doesn’t work so just me checking with a torch and maybe I missed them?
Fingers crossed you see some sign soon.

[William]

Have two visiting here in Devon. Although last night, there was one with several markings i have not seen before. So could be three. I do not mark the hedgehogs that come in for a feed.

[Baldwin hedgehog]

Hi Jackie,
I wouldn’t worry its still early. They are probably tucked up somewhere, they’ll find you when they’re ready

[Nic]

Hi Jackietb

I wouldn’t worry too much yet, especially if you are talking about a female. In the normal course of events, it would be mostly males that are back so far. The females tend to go into hibernation a fair bit later than the males and so also come out later.

[Jackietb]

Thanks all. Thinking about it they were really late going into hibernation, I didn’t think they were going to. Mum went in before the hoglets so I guess she might be out first.

[Antique]

I have three out at the moment (as far as I can tell), two of which hibernated and one that didn’t. From the way they’re all fighting, and from markings I noticed last year on the two that have come out of hibernation. I think they’re all males. I normally have more than three, so it’s interesting to hear that the females emerge later.

None of them used my hedgehog houses btw. I don’t know why I bother ….. 🙂

[Author]

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