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.

400g is too small at this time of year for her to survive hibernation. She should also be round rather than oval when she balls up as a quick visual guide and to me in that photo she looks too pointy. She needs keeping inside over winter so she can be fed and fatten up. She needs to be at least 600g, ideally 700g.

This could be the very same hedgehog or maybe they are all just miserable little shits!! If it is the same one I’m still calling him the spikey little fucker although I do very much like jumanji 🤣 me and my asbo hedgehog are in Derbyshire!

@NoSquirrels

I love this thread. Jumanjii is lucky to have you!

Our local vets is also hedgehog friendly - I’ve taken one there myself, and when my poor cat had to have an extended stay there was a hedgehog in for lungworm - boy oh boy, the havoc and mess they create in a short space of time! Hella cute, though.

They're mental!

As soon as I cut the ring off and she'd finished being a spiky hate potato she just went "nice work! And fuck this I'm off!"

You've got to admire her really.

If I wasn’t dedicated to my STP usernames I would name change to SpikyHatePotato

As soon as I cut the ring off and she'd finished being a spiky hate potato she just went "nice work! And fuck this I'm off!"

You've got to admire her really.

Life goals: Be More Hedgehog

@FelicityBeedle

This is the best live thread I’ve read in ages, I hope wee Slarty’s vet visit goes well

I've had to message my boss and say I'm really sorry I'm going to be late tomorrow because this dickhead got her head stuck in a milk bottle.

Luckily she's used to this sort of thing from me.

Please name one Slartibartfast. I'd hate to change Jumanjis name now but I need to know that at least one hedgehog has been named Slartibartfast

We have 3 ‘resident’ hedgehogs. Wedgehead, so called as he has a long thin nose. Sweetie who we overwintered last year and who, when released clearly decided “bollocks to this walking 2-3 miles a night shite when there’s food on tap here”, therefore hasn’t left our garden as far as we can tell, and one other who is as yet unnamed. Sounds perfect.

@Chronicallymothering

We have 3 hedgehogs in our back garden, and they’re all called Sonic. We need to change up the naming conventions- you’ve inspired me.

Ford Prefect, Arthur and Zaphod Beeblebrox.

You're welcome

Gotta love a hedgehog thread & "Be more hedgehog"

@Dizzy1234

YesitsBess I've finally found my tribe, you are "my people" ❤️ Best thread ever, I love hedgehogs, have one in my garden, had babies last year, best year ever

I was definitely not a hedgehog person until I met her! Sheer force of personality, and now she's in my bath...

@NoSquirrels

As soon as I cut the ring off and she'd finished being a spiky hate potato she just went "nice work! And fuck this I'm off!"

You've got to admire her really.

Life goals: Be More Hedgehog

Hard agree.

Erm the swan in your bath...

They are vicious critters too...

We have not had a single hedgehog this year. Our husky is passionate about them. So passionate that he picks them up and brings them into the house and stands guard over them to protect them from the other dogs. We treat them like giant spiders and use a bucket and a sheet of cardboard instead of a glass and a piece of paper.

**Disclaimer: The husky is incredibly gentle. Each of the hedgehogs he has brought in has been returned to the great outdoors and and has waddled off non the worse for their adventure.

@CovidCorvid

400g is too small at this time of year for her to survive hibernation. She should also be round rather than oval when she balls up as a quick visual guide and to me in that photo she looks too pointy. She needs keeping inside over winter so she can be fed and fatten up. She needs to be at least 600g, ideally 700g.

This is an interesting one and I need the hard-core hedgehog people to.advise on this.

We're moving at the end of the month and knowing our LL they will not take care of Jumanji when we go, which I have learned from this thread is when she will be most vulnerable.

Do we take her with us and overwinter her at the new house? Or do we find proper hedgehog people who will take her in - will she be upset about being moved from her territory?

I'm inclined to not leave her as she's a bit rubbish at hibernating/getting her stupid face stuck in things.

She's certainly not "a pet" but will moving her make her life worse?

@FelicityBeedle

If I wasn’t dedicated to my STP usernames I would name change to SpikyHatePotato

I seriously considered this too. Not least because I am employed by a few MNs.

I decided against it because they all know I'm a bit odd.

Love this thread. I tried to rescue a hedgehog earlier this year - got back from a night out with a hedgehog wrapped up in my cardigan and my lovely DH looked at me sightly strangely and then got out of bed to drive me and said hedgehog to the vets (in his pyjamas). Sadly it was too late - I think he'd been hit by a car.

That was the first hedgehog I've ever seen in real life though - I can't imagine how excited DD would be if I told her to be careful tomorrow as there's a hedgehog in the bath! Fingers crossed Jumanji has a happy ending - you're amazing for going to this much effort, but I know I'd have done the same, otherwise I'd never forgive myself!

I used to be involved with a hedgehog rescue snd would over winter hedgehogs in guinea pig cages in the spare room…..they stink btw and shit non stop.

I’d always try and release near where they were found but a more experienced hedgehog rescuer than me says it’s not necessary and as long as released in the spring in a safe location that’s fine.

So I think take her with you if you’re happy to have her inside over winter or if not find a rescue. In spring you can either take her back to the old house vicinity to release, or release her at the new place if suitable or at a third suitable location.

If your vet is hedgehog mad ask them tomorrow. They probably know a rescue that could take her. If you’re NW England I know a good one.

@RandomMess

Erm the swan in your bath...

They are vicious critters too...

It's too mad to explain here but you're one of my favourite posters so will DM you the thread tomorrow.

@IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere

We have not had a single hedgehog this year. Our husky is passionate about them. So passionate that he picks them up and brings them into the house and stands guard over them to protect them from the other dogs. We treat them like giant spiders and use a bucket and a sheet of cardboard instead of a glass and a piece of paper.

**Disclaimer: The husky is incredibly gentle. Each of the hedgehogs he has brought in has been returned to the great outdoors and and has waddled off non the worse for their adventure.

I'm proper Lolling at your proud Husky!

@BookShark

Love this thread. I tried to rescue a hedgehog earlier this year - got back from a night out with a hedgehog wrapped up in my cardigan and my lovely DH looked at me sightly strangely and then got out of bed to drive me and said hedgehog to the vets (in his pyjamas). Sadly it was too late - I think he'd been hit by a car.

That was the first hedgehog I've ever seen in real life though - I can't imagine how excited DD would be if I told her to be careful tomorrow as there's a hedgehog in the bath! Fingers crossed Jumanji has a happy ending - you're amazing for going to this much effort, but I know I'd have done the same, otherwise I'd never forgive myself!

First hedgehog I ever picked up was named Dave, apparently someone had used him as a football and his jaw was smashed beyond repair. I've tried to look out for them since!

Literally gave myself a contraction (40+3 and desperately trying to get baby to make an appearance) reading this full thread in one go. I'm so invested now in Jumanji I need more

OP I've been following your post most of the evening and I'm glad you've got jumanji safe in the bath. Here's our regular hog visitors 🦔 ❤️

@CovidCorvid that's useful to know, I'd rather she has the stress of a move than having the stress of a total lack of snacks!

@Honeyroar I will ask.

I don't think all hedgehogs are as peaceful and twinkly-eyed as Mrs Tiggywinkle.

We have one who is, and then the other is vicious. He seems to purposely get up early (for a hedgehog) to chase the resident squirrel. They could timeshare the garden quite happily, but no...