How do you catch a hedgehog?

[YesitsBess]

This prickly butthead is Jumanji, she/he visits every night to eat all the cat food and, if you're stupid enough to be sitting outside with your shoes off, attack your -worms- toes.

Usually we just greet each other of an evening, however the last couple of visits I've noticed she has something around her neck, it's like blue plastic. It isn't stopping her eating or behaving normally - yet. But ideally I'd like to get it off of her.

Unfortunately she is very fast (hedgehogs can run and it's hilarious) and I don't have a trap.

Any ideas? She's sat opposite me munching a slug at the moment so I don't think she's is imminent danger.

Aww, good luck! She's lucky to have found you. I hope it's a simple removal of the plastic.

You're brave! Is it definitely not cutting into her skin ?

Towel or net? Wait until she’s eating.

Actually, not a net, she could become tangled.

Rooting for you both!!

I love this thread. It’s just what I need after a draining day at work.

Well done OP, hope she gets sorted

@userxx

You're brave! Is it definitely not cutting into her skin ?

She balled when I cut it so am leaving her be with some snacks until I can get it all the way off without stressing her, no damage to the top of her neck at all, will let you know once I can see her chin.

She weighs just over 400g. Is this good or bad?

If you stroke her back end gently near her tail, (in the direction of head to tail) it may encourage her to unroll

Was it round her neck?

400g is okkkkk but not great for this time of year, especially if she’s coming to yours every night, i.e. she has a regular food source … but she’ll need to be kept an eye on. Want her up to at least 650g by mid November really. However if she’s coming back, you can keep an eye.

If she doesn’t make that weight, get ready for a house guest over winter…!

She's having a little rest now and I think MNHQ have a 3 pics per day limit but I've taken some more and will show you all tomorrow.

@H8H8H8 did you get my message?

Ah crosspost. I will try the thing, she's not so much balled now as....sulking.

She does not like the towel of shame.

No fleas! No ticks, and thankfully no flystrike (bleurgh)

Well done. I was going to say, if you don't have a bucket you could try a glass, but...

I had a similar situation and popped him/her in a washing basket lined with a towel while i cut some twine off their rear end. It keeps them contained but still accessible.

I think your spiky lady needs a name. Spike? Hoggle? Hokey Pokey?

Hedgehog + a bit of Hitchhiker's guide. Stellar thread.

She's named Jumanji because of her alarming habit of launching herself at your feet when you least expect it!

She's in a laundry basket at the moment and after a phone call with H8 which ended up with me yelling "JUMANJIII...NOOOOOO" whilst she tried to get her head stuck in the holes in the basket (it's like she never learns) She's being moved to a cat box full of paper until I can get her safely to a wildlife place.

I am so glad that this little lady has you as her guardian angel. But I have one word of warning, she might be in an even worse mood after she is relieved of her decoration, she might think it looks really pretty, and it may have taken her ages to get it placed exactly right 😜
As a pp has started suggesting names, may I suggest "Millie" after Spike Milligan, because I believe that he could be quite grumpy, as well as being very funny! 💐 for you x

This is an amazing thread!

I have nothing to add but my admiration.

Well done OP.

I don't bother with a towel. If you just put your hand on her, she will almost certainly freeze. It takes only a light touch then to close both hands round her gently and pick her up. If you don't apply pressure, the spines won't hurt your hands.

This is true of some hedgehogs, however, they can also flex their spines and shunt, so I wouldn't recommend picking one up without some hand protection.

As an ardent hog fan I love this thread. Hope you manage to get the blue thing off. Possibly a bit of a bloody "disposable" mask?

Loving this thread

This thread has really cheered me up! Looking forward to the next update

400g is quite lean for an adult hedgehog. I think it should be at least 500g at this time of year.

Ah, I see someone has already said that!

Please do see the updates if you haven't already (go to 'see all' on the OP).

I am currently considering renaming her Slartibartfast just because it's Hitchhiker and makes me laugh every time I say it.

She's currently in her laundry basket with a towel over all the holes and is having a strop. I'm leaving her to it for now, my house stinks of bloody fish biscuits and lord only knows what my partner will say when he rocks up later and I'm sitting here like a weirdo with a hedgehog in a laundry basket.

I may put her on my lap and become a Bond villain.