Juvenile hedgehog

CYHSN

Hi. I have come across a young hedgehog on the way in this evening, just weighed him and hes coming in at 390g, fed him a few cat biscuits as well. Unsure whether to release him or drop him into a rescue(Wexford spca) to make sure he survives the winter, realistically how much weight could they put on?

Thanks

byhookorbycrook

Drop him to rescue, he will need to put up some more weight:
"Those hibernating at less than 450g will probably not survive (although some occasionally do)."
And "They can, and many do, survive winter weighing less than 600g (eg 52% of juveniles)"
https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/pdf/Hibernation-Weight.pdf

magicbastarder

yeah, i'd usually read 600g as being the minimum. you'd be asking him to put on 50% of his body weight at a time they're typically going into hibernation.

CYHSN

Grand thanks, I'll contact them tomorrow and get him dropped down. Thanks for the swift response.

Half-cocked

In the mean time, feed him some raw egg and cat food and make sure he has water.