The hedgehog has been around for millions of years and has been a master at adapting, but since 2020 it is classified as threatened according to the Art Databan’s red list. Factors such as increased traffic, large -scale agriculture and milder winters have made it much more difficult for the hedgehog to manage.
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Can wake up out of the hub too early
If the hedgehog’s winter nest gets wet, it risks waking up from its hibernation prematurely, and instead start to look out. This involves a great risk, as it risks dying from starvation if it finds no food.
– There is no food, because the insects are not out and moving now, says Alexandra Geddawho runs game rehabilitation in Kalmar, in an interview in P4 Kalmar.
Mild winters make it difficult for the hedgehog to cope. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT
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How to help it
If you find a awake hedgehog during the winter, it is good if you can help it. Alexandra Gedda believes that you can do this by, for example, carpentry together a nest to the animal, which you fill with dry boom material. The estate should then be placed outdoors, as a private person you must not preserve a hedgehog in your home for more than 48 hours.
In order for the hedgehog to be able to return to the hub, it is necessary that it gets something to eat. Although hedgehogs mostly eat snails and insects, there are several other things you can feed it with, such as cat food, dog food, eggs, meat and fruit.
If a hedgehog seems ill, it should be left to a wild rehabilitator.
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