Harold the Hedgehog

[Vectis Hamstery]

He's technically not a pet as he lives in the back garden, but his supplies live in the hamster room! I'd not realised we were lucky enough to have a visiting hedgehog until Rogue alerted me to him snuffling about one evening in March this year. Since then I've seen him a few times pootling around when I'm setting off for hamster shows at silly o'clock in the morning. My upstairs neighbour and I have also been feeding him and I once found him waiting for his dinner in the hedgehog house when I was a little late putting it out! Unfortunately his hedgehog house disappeared from the garden this week. I found some instructions for a DIY hedgehog house which are very like making a bin cage, but without the mesh bit so a new home for Harold has appeared (my neighbour named him).

DIY hedgehog house by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

Harold the hedgie's new home by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

I hope he likes it. Perhaps one day I'll be able to snap a pic of him.

If you want to feed a hedgie in your own garden, there's some info on what to put out here. Don't give bread and milk

[hammy2]

What a great hedgehog set up! Thanks for the ideas. I keep fresh water for my hedgehogs and give them mealworms love seeing them

[suga]

Ahh bless. I have only seen a hedgehog on a couple of occasions in my garden. hope you get a picture.

[Cangshu]

Cute!
We have one hedgie in our hedge in our backyard, so before winter turns in i want to make him (or her) a isolated home to sleep in and raise their hoglets


Your curver idea is pretty neat! Put an tempex box in there and you have an easy to clean, lightweight hedgiebox

[racinghamster]

How exciting! It`s been years since I saw any headgies around apart from a few killed on the road. Let us know how Harold likes his cosy box! x

[Coco61]

This is terrific to see. I get the sense that this is a thread that could run and run! Hope he hibernates in his new house then he will be safe.

[Piebald]

That's nice! I have a hedgehog that visits but I don't think I can let him hibernate with the dog . . .
Funny hedgehog story: One evening on the road to Tesco I stopped the car and put on my flashers to let a hedgehog cross the road. A car coming from the opposite direction slowed down and I pointed to the little guy, who was snuffling along slowly. Well that car stopped and put his flashers on too which was great because I was worried someone would try to pass me and squish him but they were now blocked!
We both sat there until he safely crossed.

[Shannonmcn]

I love your feeding station Vectis! Such a lovely idea! I know there are some hedgies round mums because we unfortunately found a very sad little body recently I think there are too many outdoor cats and foxes around for them to flourish.

My partners dad found one in this hen house last week though! Mr. Hog was nibbling away at the chicken feed and was so distracted that he got to have a wee stroke! Though tbh I would be afraid to lose a bit of my finger. I was a bit annoyed he didn't shout so I could go see because I was in the house at the time!!

Well done Piebald, that's a very good deed im sure the little guy/girl was very grateful!

[hammy2]

Hedgehogs don't bite they curl up to protect themselves. One of ours is Snuffley Sid and another Prickly Moore. We heard them talking to each other once it was the strangest sound ever lol

[DrKMcK]

I have the cats, Yin and Yang, living in my yard, and just today I spotted a younger kitty, or rather, Yoda did... It went under the swing cover to eat after I put out my two boys food...sigh. I also get the occasional opossum back there too. How wonderful of you to take care of this hedgehog. Lucky little guy/girl.