AUTUMN has arrived, and with it the colder nights and the autumn juveniles.

Hedgehogs carry on breeding until the weather gets cold so their natural food source of worms, beetles and larvae disappears underground, and the adult hedgehogs will be preparing for hibernation.

This leaves the immature youngsters struggling to survive as they are unable to put on enough fat reserves to survive the winter in hibernation.

This is where hedgehog rescues all around the country come in – the underweight juveniles will be fed and cared for throughout the winter until they are ready to be released in the spring.

If you see a small hedgehog at this time of year – please weigh it – and if it is less than 600g call us for advice.

Another problem hedgehogs face in the autumn is the annual garden tidy-up.

Bonfires, strimmers, and plastic netting left lying around can all be lethal to hedgehogs.

The little hedgehog in the photo weighed only 260g and was very lucky to be found in time. The remains of the netting were removed under anaesthetic by the vet and for a few days it showed little sign of wanting to live.

Gradually it recovered and is now doing well – thanks to the finders who saved this little one’s life. Tiny hedgehogs are still coming in to the hospital and are keeping us busy – although the summer fundraising season is now over we will be attending Christmas events and our calendar is raising vital funds to keep the hogs in food.

Please do all you can to keep your garden hedgehog-friendly by keeping a pile of fallen leaves for nest-building; making sure hogs can move from one garden to another via a small hole in the fence, keep feeding until the food is no longer taken and look out for hogs in trouble.

See helpahedgehog.org