During the winter months, more precisely between November and March, we might come across a small hedgehog apparently lifeless in the woods (or even on the road!). We might then be tempted to give it a proper burial in some soil or throw it away, falling victim to a glaring mistake!
The small animal, in fact, may not be dead at all, but only fallen into a deep sleep that lasts about five months, precisely from November to March. Usually, these cute little creatures prepare for hibernation by digging burrows to find shelter and protection from potential predators, but in an increasingly green space-deprived world, the search for a warm place to spend the winter becomes more and more complicated.
For this reason, some hedgehogs may end up in your yard looking for a cozy place to fall asleep, while others, tired of searching, may find refuge in strange places like roads or sidewalks, much more at the mercy of dangers. During hibernation, their heartbeat and metabolism slow down slightly to conserve energy and thus not need to wake up to feed, and this inactivity could easily deceive anyone who finds the hedgehog and sees it motionless, presumably dead.
Now that you know it could easily be a misjudgment, consider that if you ever come across a “sleeping” hedgehog, the most useful thing to do is to leave it in its hiding place or, if it is found on the road, easily exposed to dangers, make sure to leave it in a safe and warm place. Choose the place well: it could stay there for months!
But, in addition to being sleepyheads, hedgehogs also play a crucial role in the ecosystem: they are true heroes against annoying insects, snails, frogs, and even venomous snakes! Scientists have studied them extensively and have been amazed by their immunity to the strongest poisons, including viper bites. Perhaps this is also why they are not afraid of wasps and can destroy their nests without worrying about stings. How they manage to deal with these annoying insects without complications remains a mystery still without an answer, but – perhaps – this is what makes it surprising!
So, when you encounter a hedgehog during the cold months, remember that helping such a delicate, but at the same time, strong animal is a gesture that costs nothing. Offer them a little love and warmth to protect this endangered species that we all still need so much!
Ig – @fairness_mag
