Hedgehogs

[Paddley]

I bought a rat box thing with a trap inside and it appears to have attracted a hedgehog within the first few hours. The hedgehog has had some cat food but keeps coming back to the trap, obviously likes the smell of peanut butter. Are there babies around at the moment? This adult is huge and could never get inside but I'm worried.

Look on the hedgehog trust website. What is a 'rat box thing' anyway? Hedgehogs will soon be looking to hibernate so might be checking it out for that reason.

They'll be hibernating soon but need to build up their fat reserves so are looking for extra food. Could you leave the rat trap somewhere else, on a table or chair maybe and help Mr or Mrs hedgehog or with some wet catfood to help them have a successful hibernation xx

You could even leave a box on its side with lots of leaves inside in case hedgehog is looking for somewhere to hibernate, but they usually have their home all figured out by now and only come out for food xx

Our hogg gets meal worms and water every night and is clearing the bowl on every visit.
They are definitely stoking up now.

maggie mealworms are not very good for hedgehogs.

I have a hedgehog house in my garden I bought last year - not sure if they have used it, but I do see hedgehogs.

I leave cat food, hedgehog food and dried bananas out. They LURVE meal worms, but they're not very good for them, the hedgehog food you buy has some in, but they shouldn't be eating very many of them.

So jealous of you all with visiting hedgehogs

I live in Canada and we do not have hedgehogs except for pet ones.

Personally I think hedgies are adorable and would LOVE to have one visit my yard.

If the hedgehog is getting into the trap, is it an option for you to get a humane rat trap instead? Or to put something other than peanut butter in the trap - something that hedgehogs don't normally eat but would be attractive to a rat?

firedupp, I was you a week ago. I have a small, totally fenced suburban garden, when my DD told me she had a hedgehog visiting I was so envious, now I discover that I have one as well. I'm amazed, how the hell does it get in? It moves so fast, up and down steps too.

agnurse, I have a rat problem due to the bird feeders, and one appears to have discovered how to get under my floorboards, the noise is scary, hence the trap. I've positioned it in such a way that only a mouse or rat can get in. I'm considering a humane one but I'm not sure if rats have homing instincts.

Discovered today that baby hedgehogs are called urchins.