A quick question

[urocyon]

We have a hedgehog trying to settle in to hibernate under some DIY leftovers on our patio. I'd be fine with that--do think it's kind of cool, actually--if it weren't for the fact that we're supposed to be in California before spring. Ideally, we'd get the ever-popular man with a van to come and haul the wood and stuff away before the poor thing gets too settled, but that hasn't happened yet. I've really wanted the stuff gone for a while, anyway, but there have unfortunately been some barriers.

Finally getting around to the question: would it maybe work to relocate the hedgehog? It shouldn't be too hard to get into a cat carrier, and I know of a pretty good place to release it. That's only like half a mile away, though, even with a bunch of residential sprawl in between. It's probably not terra incognita to the hedgehog--so it ought to be able to find somewhere else familiar to hibernate--but how likely is it to just waddle back over here from no greater distance than that?

My main concern here is doing what's best for the hedgehog.

With any luck, somebody here has more experience, and I'd really appreciate any feedback. :) Worst case, I could bug some hedgehog rescue people for advice.

Comments

[arkady.livejournal.com]

Hedgehogs travel far greater distances than half a mile in an average night - in fact their usual foraging range is about 3-4 miles, and can be even greater. They can also move surprisingly fast - 2mph is fairly normal, and one hedgehog was recorded as having attained 4½mph in a sprint. So you might relocate your hedgehog only to find he or she has beaten you back home again!

It's rather early for hedgehogs to hibernate though; this one is probably just scouting the area out and using the woodpile as somewhere to spend the day. Hedgehogs won't settle down to hibernate for another 2-3 weeks yet.

[urocyon-c.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the reply! I knew their range was not small, but was hoping there was a reasonable chance that it would find somewhere else to hang out if we moved it. Probably not, then. I guess we just get things hauled off soon, whether Ingvar wants to move it himself or not. :)

Yeah, this one has been hanging around for at least a month now. It's still very active, but has obviously found a place it likes. There's more than enough food back there, in the meantime. :-| Glad there should be a couple of weeks to get things cleared out; I wasn't sure exactly when they started into hibernation, but figured it couldn't be long.