Hedgehog hibernation is a physiologically demanding process with specific welfare requirements. Understanding hibernation helps people support hedgehogs appropriately during this vulnerable period.
Hibernation is physiologically demanding and hedgehogs that enter winter underweight or are repeatedly disturbed face life-threatening energy depletion. Each arousal from hibernation uses approximately one third of an underweight hedgehog's total energy reserves. Premature arousal triggered by warm spells depletes reserves needed for winter. Supplementary autumn feeding of hedgehogs below the critical weight threshold significantly improves their survival chances. The most serious welfare threat comes from inadvertent human disturbance of hibernation sites, particularly when bonfire heaps are built and lit without checking for hedgehogs sheltering inside.