How to help hedgehogs if you see them in winter

We don’t see hedgehogs before and during winter as often as we see dogs and cats on our streets. However, if you happen to find a hedgehog now, it means it hasn’t gone into hibernation, probably because it isn’t well-fed and doesn’t have enough weight to survive the winter. Young hedgehogs usually weigh around 500 to 700 grams, while older hedgehogs are generally heavier. In autumn, before hibernation, they can weigh between 800 and 1500 grams. After hibernation, when all fat reserves are depleted, they can weigh as little as 350 grams, often losing up to 50% of their body weight. You can help by giving them food similar to what you feed cats. Let them eat and drink on their own, but do not give them milk, because although they may drink it when hungry, it is not tolerated and can cause problems. Feeding should stop once the hedgehog reaches the necessary weight. A normally fed hedgehog does not need to be fed or given water—they manage that best themselves. You should only assist if the hedgehog is too weak to do so on its own. Weakness is often caused by parasites, so check and clean them from fleas and other parasites. Hedgehogs need areas that provide hiding spots; sometimes stacked stones can help. You can improvise a small shelter and place leaves inside for them to build a sleeping nest. When they wake from their winter sleep in spring, you can observe them immediately rushing to fill their stomachs. They leave tracks of their toes, very similar to small human handprints, because each foot has five toes and they walk on the entire sole. You may also see them running, showing their long legs, especially the hind ones, which they use to push off and overcome significant obstacles.