Hedgehogs in Winter: Hibernation and When They Need Help
How do hedgehogs survive the winter?
Hedgehogs face significant challenges during winter, when temperatures fall and their natural food sources become harder to find. To conserve energy, many hedgehogs enter a state called hibernation.
During hibernation, a hedgehog's body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate and metabolism decrease. This allows it to use its stored body fat more slowly while it remains in a sheltered nest, known as a hibernaculum.
Hibernation is a natural part of a hedgehog's life cycle. However, winter can be a particularly difficult time for young, underweight, injured or unwell hedgehogs.
When do hedgehogs hibernate?
Hedgehogs in the UK generally begin hibernating during autumn and may remain in hibernation into spring. The exact timing varies depending on weather conditions, food availability, individual health and the hedgehog's body condition.
Some hedgehogs may enter hibernation earlier, while others remain active for longer.
Hibernation is not always continuous. Hedgehogs may wake periodically, move to a different nest or become active during milder weather.
Finding a hedgehog awake during winter does not automatically mean it needs rescuing. Its behaviour, body condition, the weather and the circumstances in which it is found all matter.
What does a healthy hibernating hedgehog look like?
A hibernating hedgehog usually rests curled into a tight ball inside a sheltered nest.
It may be difficult to see because it is often hidden beneath leaves, vegetation, logs or other nesting materials.
If you discover a suspected hibernating hedgehog:
Avoid handling or disturbing it unnecessarily.
Do not dismantle its nest to check whether it is alive.
Keep pets away from the area.
Avoid cutting, moving or burning vegetation where a hedgehog may be sheltering.
If the nest is accidentally disturbed, contact a wildlife rescue for advice if you are unsure what to do.
An apparently sleeping hedgehog should not be assumed to be dead simply because it is cold or moving very little.
Should I be worried about a hedgehog out in winter?
Not every hedgehog seen in winter needs rescuing. Some wake from hibernation naturally, and others may not have entered hibernation yet.
However, winter activity can be concerning when it is accompanied by signs of poor health.
Contact a wildlife rescue promptly if a hedgehog is:
Very weak, lethargic or unable to walk normally.
Wobbling, staggering or unable to remain upright.
Lying exposed and appearing unresponsive.
Cold, wet and struggling to move.
Visibly injured or bleeding.
Covered in fly eggs or maggots.
Showing noisy or laboured breathing.
Very small, thin or visibly underweight and struggling to find food.
A hedgehog displaying these signs may need urgent assessment, regardless of the time of day or temperature.
What about small hedgehogs found in autumn or winter?
Young hedgehogs born later in the year may have less time to build up the fat reserves needed to survive hibernation.
However, weight alone does not determine whether a hedgehog needs rescuing. Age, body condition, health, weather, available food and individual circumstances must all be considered.
If you find a small hedgehog in late autumn or winter, particularly during cold or wet weather, seek advice if you are concerned about its condition.
Do not attempt to determine whether it is safe to hibernate based on a single weight measurement or an online weight chart. A wildlife rescue or veterinary professional can help assess its individual needs.
How can I help hedgehogs during winter?
1. Leave natural nesting areas undisturbed
Leaf piles, log piles, dense hedges and sheltered corners can provide important winter nesting sites.
Where possible:
Leave undisturbed areas of vegetation.
Avoid clearing every leaf and twig from your garden.
Check carefully before moving logs, compost, garden waste or other potential nesting materials.
Never light a bonfire without thoroughly checking the entire pile and moving it carefully immediately before lighting.
A nest may contain a hedgehog that is difficult to see.
2. Provide fresh drinking water
A shallow, stable dish of fresh water can be useful for hedgehogs and other wildlife.
Keep it clean and refill it regularly, checking that it has not frozen during cold weather.
Never give hedgehogs cow's milk, as it can cause digestive upset.
3. Offer appropriate food when needed
If hedgehogs are visiting your garden and you wish to offer supplementary food, suitable options include a good-quality, meat-based hedgehog food or appropriate meaty cat or dog food.
Fresh water should always be available alongside food.
Avoid:
Bread and milk.
Salty or heavily seasoned foods.
Spoiled food.
Leaving food outside for prolonged periods without checking and cleaning the feeding area.
Supplementary feeding should not replace professional assessment when a hedgehog appears unwell.
4. Keep gardens safe
Continue to check for hazards throughout winter.
Look out for:
Uncovered drains and holes.
Loose netting and discarded plastic.
Water containers and ponds without safe escape routes.
Rodent poisons and other garden chemicals.
Garden machinery and bonfires.
Hedgehogs may be less active in winter, but they still need safe places to shelter and move around.
5. Avoid disturbing occupied hedgehog houses
If you have a hedgehog house in your garden, avoid opening it to check on the occupant.
Disturbing a hibernating hedgehog may cause it to wake and use valuable energy reserves.
Keep the area quiet and sheltered, and contact a wildlife rescue if you suspect the animal is in danger.
What should I do if I find a hedgehog that needs help?
If a hedgehog appears unwell, injured or unable to cope, take the following steps:
Assess from a safe distance. Observe its movement, posture and surroundings without chasing or repeatedly disturbing it.
Contact a wildlife rescue promptly. Explain where it was found, the weather conditions, its approximate size and any signs of illness or injury.
Contain it if necessary. If it is clearly unwell or in immediate danger, and it is safe to do so, gently place it in a secure, ventilated box lined with a towel.
Keep it quiet and comfortably warm. Place the box somewhere calm, away from pets and children.
Do not attempt treatment. Avoid bathing, force-feeding or administering medication unless a veterinary professional has instructed you to do so.
Do not put yourself at risk to reach an animal in a dangerous location.
If the hedgehog is barely responsive, struggling to breathe or severely injured, seek urgent veterinary advice.
Should I wake a hedgehog from hibernation?
No. Do not deliberately wake a hedgehog to check on it, move it to another location or encourage it to eat.
Hibernation is a natural survival mechanism, and unnecessary disturbance can use up valuable energy reserves.
If a hedgehog's nest has been damaged, flooded or otherwise made unsafe, seek advice from a wildlife rescue before attempting to relocate the animal. If there is an immediate threat to its safety, explain the situation when contacting a professional.
Can CapesWildlifeRescue help?
CapesWildlifeRescue provides assessment and rehabilitation for hedgehogs that are sick, injured, orphaned or otherwise in need of assistance.
Our capacity varies throughout the year, and winter admissions depend on the animal's needs and the facilities available.
Please contact us before bringing a hedgehog to the rescue. All admissions must be discussed and authorised in advance.
When contacting us, please provide:
The location where the hedgehog was found.
The date and time it was discovered.
Its approximate size and condition.
Whether it was moving normally, curled up, cold or unresponsive.
Any visible injuries, fly eggs or maggots.
Whether it was found in a nest or exposed in the open.
These details help us assess the urgency of the situation and advise you on the next steps.
Help hedgehogs through winter
Hibernation is a normal and important part of a hedgehog's life, but not every hedgehog will enter winter in good health.
By protecting nesting sites, providing fresh water, reducing garden hazards and seeking help when an animal appears unwell, we can all help give hedgehogs the best possible chance of surviving the colder months.
Remember: do not disturb a healthy hibernating hedgehog, but do not ignore one that appears weak, injured or in distress. When in doubt, contact a wildlife rescue for advice.
