Well, that very much depends on the weather. In the recent years, winters have been getting warmer and wetter. Especially in the south of England, where Dougal currently lives. So, Dougal and his spiky friends have been getting confused by this unseasonably mild weather and not hibernating as expected.
In the years before, the temperatures would drop to single figures or below zero degrees Celsius around December and it would stay cold right through to the end of February or mid-March. By mid-October, the food sources would be getting scarcer. But, by then, the hogs should have fattened up to well over 600 – 900 grams. And, they should have collected enough dry leaf and moss material to build themselves cosy nests (called hibernacula) somewhere in a log pile, compost heap, or under your shed.
By January, hedgehogs should be deep in hibernation – immobile and taking only around 15 breaths per minute! However, they do wake up occasionally to check what’s going on around them, before going back to their slumber.
By mid-April, hogs have come out of their slumber. And, once woken up properly, Dougal and friends are very thirsty and hungry! But by then, spring should be in full swing and the earth full of tasty grubs again.
Remember:
If you find a hibernating hog in the winter – check it’s safely covered and don’t disturb it unless absolutely necessary! Unlike in the spring, a hungry hog in the winter has very little chance of surviving. Scouring for food takes up a lot of energy!
