can baby hedghogs live through winter ive heard they have to weigh 600gms but i dont know if it is true?

Question

we have been weighing a couple of hedghoogs 1 is 600g which i ave heard isperfect for winter but now little babies are popping up and i dont think they will suvive - i think i will probably put them in a bix with food and bedding for the winter as ive heard they will survive this way, but can i bring them in or do they smell if not i will put themm in the summer house

Answer 1

Are you talking about domestic (pet) hedgehogs, or wild hedgehogs?

If wild, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. You can find one here: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

These people have the specialized training to care for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. They also have the required government licenses to keep and care for the wild animals until they are healthy enough to be released into the wild. They would know what weight, and what weather conditions, are correct for releasing these animals. They will also make sure that the hedgehogs are sufficiently wild to survive, that you have not made them into pets that can not find their own food and avoid predators.

Answer 2

600g it is - according to the hedgehog rescue society that we at my vets use. We get quite a lot of hedgies in in the summer.

Since 600g is the guide, I personally would want hedgies to weigh a little more, just to be on the safe side - say 650g.

Baby hedgies will not survive the winter outside, they will have to be brought in and kept warm and fed well (catfood, dry and canned)

Chalice

Answer 3

Our kids had hedgehogs they kept inside all year long with no problem. I don't think people can buy them any more, but twenty years ago they were popular. I can't imagine anyone trying to keep them outside.