1. Fatten Up:
* Plenty of food: Hedgehogs need to eat a lot in the weeks leading up to hibernation to build up their fat reserves. They will eat anything they can find, including insects, worms, slugs, and even small animals like mice.
* High-calorie food: This is especially important, so they can store enough energy to last through the winter.
2. Find a Suitable Shelter:
* Safe and dry: They need a safe and dry place to hibernate, such as a log pile, under a shed, or in a thick hedgerow.
* Warm enough: The shelter needs to be warm enough to keep them from freezing, but not too warm, or they might wake up too early.
3. Body Temperature Drops:
* Lowering their metabolism: Hedgehogs slow down their metabolism and heart rate to conserve energy.
* Reducing body temperature: Their body temperature can drop to just a few degrees above freezing.
4. Stay Still:
* Minimizing movement: They stay curled up in a ball to minimize energy loss and conserve body heat.
Things to Note:
* Hibernation is not a guarantee: Some hedgehogs may not hibernate at all, especially if the weather is mild or they have access to enough food.
* Not all hedgehogs hibernate: Juvenile hedgehogs and those that are sick or injured may not hibernate.
You can help hedgehogs prepare for hibernation by:
* Providing them with food and water.
* Creating a safe and dry shelter for them.
* Avoiding using pesticides in your garden.
Remember, hedgehogs are wild animals, and it's best to let them hibernate naturally. Don't try to force them into hibernation or disturb them once they've settled in.