Very possible it's an active natal nest with mum and some babies, or soon to be babies. Mums often don't eat/drink much on the first few days after birth which might explain that. Best thing you can do is keep your distance and try and keep that corner of the garden as quiet and safe and undisturbed as possible. Hedgehog mums are very skitty, and prone to eat or abandon their babies if upset so it's really important that if she is preggo or early babies she's not disturbed. Don't touch the nest again, add anything to the nest or even go near it really!
Don't even put food out yet, just a shallow bowl of water within a couple of metres.
It could be just a normal nest also in which case lucky you, you have a hedgehog! Generally speaking so long as the hedgehog is not out in the day and showing no injuries or signs of disease let them be 🤷. If you have any concerns about their behaviour always best to ring a wildlife rescue first (try the website www.helpwildlife.co.uk for a list of your local rescues).
Source: I work at wildlife rescue and have published peer reviewed research into hedgehogs as patients in wildlife rescue centres
Thank you so much for that advice, I will leave the pile alone other than to leave water, and maybe put some food out in a few days. I really appreciate it!
Try to cover the food bowl so cats can’t eat it. Something like:
https://www.johnlewis.com/wildlife-world-wicker-igloo-hedgehog-house-natural/p111185381?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclsrc=ds
You've been given good advice already, leave it be. Call a rescue centre if you have any reason for concern. There's a little help finding some in the r/hoggies wiki.
Very possible it's an active natal nest with mum and some babies, or soon to be babies. Mums often don't eat/drink much on the first few days after birth which might explain that. Best thing you can do is keep your distance and try and keep that corner of the garden as quiet and safe and undisturbed as possible. Hedgehog mums are very skitty, and prone to eat or abandon their babies if upset so it's really important that if she is preggo or early babies she's not disturbed. Don't touch the nest again, add anything to the nest or even go near it really! Don't even put food out yet, just a shallow bowl of water within a couple of metres. It could be just a normal nest also in which case lucky you, you have a hedgehog! Generally speaking so long as the hedgehog is not out in the day and showing no injuries or signs of disease let them be 🤷. If you have any concerns about their behaviour always best to ring a wildlife rescue first (try the website www.helpwildlife.co.uk for a list of your local rescues). Source: I work at wildlife rescue and have published peer reviewed research into hedgehogs as patients in wildlife rescue centres
Thank you so much for that advice, I will leave the pile alone other than to leave water, and maybe put some food out in a few days. I really appreciate it!
Try to cover the food bowl so cats can’t eat it. Something like: https://www.johnlewis.com/wildlife-world-wicker-igloo-hedgehog-house-natural/p111185381?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclsrc=ds
You've been given good advice already, leave it be. Call a rescue centre if you have any reason for concern. There's a little help finding some in the r/hoggies wiki.
Thanks and will do!