Do I take her in?

Hedgehoglover Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:17 am

Hello all.
Got another Hedgehog the other day. Very small- 384g at first. Has put on some weight. Now bout 400g. No room inside at the moment, so has been in shed for last few days.
It is getting very cold now, but if I was to take her inside, there wood be small space. Not as much room. But if I leave her outside, then she would be cold, at that weight it really does scare me.
What should I so>>>
*I have no idea*

***Help***

**Trish** Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:00 am

It isn't tiny, but not yet quite big enough. There is still time to get the weight up before hibernation so if you are able to keep her for a while then do. There are plenty of hedgies out there at that weight, the shed will probably be slightly warmer than outside and with plenty of bedding warmer still.

What do you others think?

**Bethany** Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:07 am

Hedgehogs are poorly insulated, the 'skirt' that runs around the bottom of the body is only made up of a few dense hairs, meaning that they can easily get cold.
Having said that, Hedgehogs do not mind a bit of cold, after all, they are a wild animal. During Hibernation, their body temperture can drop to the same as their suroundings.

Keep the Hedgehog our for a bit longer if you can.
When it was frosty, I filled the cracks in the shed in and covered the bottom of the door with towels. This will prevent most of the cold from getting in.

You can take it in when it gets a bit colder.

That's what I think.

Bethany.

**Hoggy** Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:03 pm

If it were me, I would keep it out for at least a bit more.

**Trish** Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:11 pm

It seems we all agree she should be kept for a while.

Hedgehog Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:56 pm

Yeah, me too. Think it would be good to keep 'im for abit.

Hedgehoglover Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:58 pm

Hi.
Thanks all for kind advice...
Will listen to what you all said, take her in next week or something.

She is putting on some weight, but she might hibernate because its cold. Then she only weighs small.
What should I do then? Take her inside when that happens?>>

Shorty Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:46 am

They reckon the weather is getting warmer for next week at least so you can keep her out for a while longer then see how the weather is after that and make your mind up then.

Kev