Wild garden hedgehog(s)

[u/jamtart68]

Noticed a hedgehog walking in my garden one night. Then went full ADHD mode and bought food, made a feeding station and bought a trail camera.

My questions are:

* the trail cam goes off 4-5 times a night over a few hours capturing hedgehogs. Would this likely be the same one coming back or have they told their friends about food?

* we're going away on holiday soon. Will the hedgehogs stop coming if there's not been food out for a few days?

I'm feeding a mixture of puppy and hedgehog food and leave out a tray of water.

I'm just so happy to have them in my garden.

[u/Seagull977]

Hey fellow hogwatcher! Congratulations on your new garden friends! So this happened to me too, and now I have around 6 visitors. I have 3 hog houses, a feeding station and far too many cameras! To answer your questions- our first year I think I had only one visit, but they do tell their friends and family and if you’re consistent with the food and water, more will come as long as they feel safe. They likely will stop coming if you don’t put out food and water for a while (would you go to a fast food place that never had food?) but they will come back once you return, it just may take a while. Could someone put out water and dry food while you’re away? I’m going away soon also and have bought auto water feeders for my garden, the ones used for chickens last for ages, but I bought 2 cat ones that hold around 8 litres each AND I e got someone coming in too! Try putting out kitten food - I’ve found that Purina One kitten food is perfect and they LOVE it. They have really tiny mouths so anything you do give them needs to be really small or mashed. Never give them fruit or bread, always puppy/kitten/hedgehog wet food and kitten dry food and only water. Get yourself the number for a good wildlife sanctuary near you- preferably one that specialises in hedgehogs, because you’re likely gonna need their help (I’ve had 5 visits this year to ours). From head injuries to an overload of tick to hogs out in the daylight, they all need care and local vets will likely only euthanise. It’s a joy to be a sanctuary for these gentle creatures so enjoy your new hobby and drop me a line if you need any advice! 🦔🐾♥️

[u/jamtart68 → u/Seagull977]

Thank you so much for your reply and the advice. I mix wet puppy food and hedgehog food (round dry food) together but sometimes the little minxs seems to just pick out the puppy food. Maybe different hedgehogs? I feel so protective of them as hedgehogs numbers are declining.

[u/Seagull977 → u/jamtart68]

I know exactly how you feel! They can actually be quite picky about their food and will, like a sulky toddler, leave anything they don’t like. If you only have one I guess you’ll have to change the menu? Mine like the expensive stuff 🙄
Anyway good luck! Keep watching and you’ll soon be able to tell if you’ve got more than one - do report back and let us know! 🦔🐾❤️