Cold weather sees rescue centre inundated with baby hedgehogs
The recent cold snap has left one rescue centre in Somerset inundated with baby hedgehogs that have been abandoned by their parents.
The Prickles Hedgehog Rescue Centre in Cheddar is currently caring for 126 baby hogs after their mums went into hibernation, leaving them to fend for themselves when they're just not ready.
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The babies need to be at least 350 grams and six weeks old before they can fend for themselves, with the safe weight for hibernation being 650 grams.
Prickles founder Jules Bishop told the Western Morning News: "The cold spell has really caught the little ones out as the mums are choosing to hibernate leaving the babies to fend for themselves.
"Prickles is admitting an average of 11 a day and the smallest is 106 grams."
She anticipates the influx to continue into November, as hedgehogs normally have two litters a year from May to October.
The centre is now looking for help to care for the babies, in the form of funds and volunteers.
Prickles is currently inundated with juvenile hedgehogs, 26 in the past 24 hours. We are caring for 126 and we desperately need food for them. We hope you can support our hogs.
Posted by Prickles Hedgehog Rescue on Tuesday, October 13, 2015
It has also shared tips on its Facebook about what to do if you come across a struggling baby hedgehog: "There are a number of juvenile hedgehogs struggling at the moment. It is cold at night and their natural food is scarce.
"If you pick one up, place it in a box with a hot water bottle, an old towel for it to sleep in. You can feed it cat meat/biscuits and water.
"Phone your local rescue but please bring the little hog in the house, don't leave them in a shed or outbuilding, they will deteriorate quickly, too cold."
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