Hedgehog Hibernation
The weather forecast for the final days of Autumn suggests there’s rain and wind on its way, with temperatures about average for this time of year. Time for hedgehogs, bats and dormice – the only three UK mammals that truly hibernate – to sort out their winter quarters. The Wildlife Trusts describe hibernation as a prolonged period of inactivity that allows animals to survive when food is scarce and the weather is harsh. Typically, the animal will first build up a reserve of body fat by eating as much as possible in the lead up to winter. They will then retreat to somewhere safe, where they will enter a torpid state. This is where almost all of the animal’s bodily functions are either completely halted or are slowed down significantly. This reduces the amount of energy the animal’s body has to burn to survive. Its body temperature will cool, and its breathing and heart rate will slow down.
Our trail cams on the water meadows have filmed hedgehogs this year, and there appears to be a resurgence of ‘hogs in the Abbey Gardens thanks to a reduction in pesticide use. All good news for this species that in 2020 was put on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List as vulnerable to extinction in Great Britain. It’s also good that many people now leave food out for hedgehogs, and create gaps in fences between gardens so the animals can move freely from one to the other.
It’s important not to disturb a hibernating hedgehog, as coming out of torpor uses up precious energy reserves. Hibernating animals may appear to be dead at first glance: very still, their breathing very shallow and infrequent, and cold to the touch. While such a deep torpid state might appear to leave them vulnerable, it actually makes the animal very difficult for predators to detect as they give off less of a scent, hardly move, and make no sound while hibernating.
Hedgehogs can hibernate in a log pile, under a shed, in a compost heap or manmade hedgehog house. If you do accidentally disturb a hibernating hedgehog, immediately cover it back up with leaves. Leave out some supplementary food and water in case it wakes up and needs the energy to find a new nest and return to hibernation.
Libby Ranzetta
BWMG Chairman
Photo: Josephine Sweetman (with permission)
