The reason why it's most likely deadly to a normal pet hedgehog is because they're not prepared for it. When they hibernate, they need a lot of extra fat to survive. Unprepared hibernation can be dangerous since the hedgehog doesn't have this extra fat stored and isn't ready for hibernation..
Likewise, people ask, what happens if my hedgehog hibernates?
One sure fire way to tell if your hedgehog is attempting hibernation is to feel it's stomach. If it feels cold it needs to be warmed up immediately. Other symptoms are lethargy, lack of appetite, drinking less, inability to un-ball, wobbliness, unable to move and heavy breathing.
One may also ask, do hedgehogs look dead when hibernating? A hibernating hedgehog will be completely rolled up into a tight ball with no face visible. You can tell that the hedgehog is hibernating and not dead by the fact that it will 'ripple' when touched very gently. It may also emit a little 'snore'! Hedgehogs also generally don't die curled up….
Correspondingly, do hedgehogs hibernate as pets?
Hedgehogs kept as pets can go into hibernation! The reason is that again hibernation is linked primarily to cold weather. So if the cage or house where the hedgehogs are kept get too cold, you can have pets in hibernation to look after.
Can you wake a hedgehog from hibernation?
In extreme low temperatures brown fat reserves are brought into play in order to wake the hedgehog from hibernation so frost bite doesn't occur and in extreme and prolonged very cold temperatures prompting the hedgehog to move and find a much more insulated nest. Waking up.
Related Question Answers
Do hedgehogs get their period?
Male hedgehogs know what to do (females do as well, but will often play hard to get). Hedgehogs DO have a 'heat,' or estrus cycle, and are not entirely induced ovulators as had been previously thought. The cycle is typically about 9 days on, followed by 7 days off, but is not absolute.Can hedgehogs die from cold?
Hedgehogs can die from both cold and heat extremes. If a hedgehog is too cold they will not be as active and will be more grumpy and huffy when handled.At what temperature do hedgehogs hibernate?
around 5 degrees
How cold is too cold for a hedgehog?
Temperatures lower than 70 degrees are considered "cold" for hedgehogs and can result in a hibernation attempt, which can be fatal. A sudden drop in temperature, even if it doesn't get below 70 degrees, can still trigger a hibernation attempt or cause other health problems.How do hedgehogs die?
Hedgehogs, like many nontraditional pets, can hide their illness, even serious illness, to the point that you do not know they are sick until it is too late. Heart disease can cause sudden death, but he was not an old hedgehog and usually there are other signs if heart disease is present.How do I know if my hedgehog is dying?
As is true with many hedgehog diseases, clinical signs may not be specific for cancer and simply include weight loss, lack of appetite and lethargy. Respiratory diseases, especially pneumonia, are often seen in pet hedgehogs. Symptoms may include nasal discharge, sneezing, and difficulty in breathing.Do hedgehogs need light at night?
Because they are nocturnal, hedgehogs do best with a consistent source of light for about 12-14 hours each day. This is important since natural light isn't always consistent, and light is important to avoid triggering a hibernation attempt.How do I get my hedgehog to hibernate?
Bring the hedgehog indoors, place it on a towel-wrapped hot water bottle in a cardboard box. When it is brighter, offer some dog food and water. If the hedgehog does not respond, then take it to your local wildlife rescue centre. Please note: hedgehogs DO NOT hibernate in the open.When should hedgehogs start hibernating?
Hedgehogs usually hibernate from October/November through to March/April. Research has shown that each individual is likely to move nesting sites at least once during this period and so can sometimes be seen out and about. During mild winters hedgehogs can remain active well into November and December.Do hedgehogs need heat lamps?
No, they don't need heat lamps, but they do need an adequate temperature regulation. The temperature in the cage must be kept in the range of 73-78° F. Anything more or less can become a significant danger to your spiny family member.Do hedgehogs hibernate in captivity?
Hedgehogs in captivity also can go into periods of partial-hibernation when the temperatures are too cool but it will not be a true hibernation. Hedgehogs living in captivity should be kept in a controlled environment to prevent hibernation or estivation.What do you feed hedgehogs?
Feeding hedgehogs Leave out foods like tinned dog or cat food (not fish-based) and crushed dog or cat biscuits. Specialist hedgehog food is also recommended and can be bought from wildlife food suppliers. Never feed hedgehogs milk as it can cause diarrhoea; instead provide plain, fresh water in a shallow bowl.How do you revive a hedgehog?
Keep the box in a quiet, warm place: a hot water bottle filled with hot tap water wrapped in a towel can provide a gentle heat source – make sure it doesn't go cold! You can provide some fresh water and meaty cat or dog food, but don't try to feed the hedgehog directly.How do you wake up a hedgehog?
The Gentle Wake Up We have found the best way to wake up your hedgehog is to scoop it up with firm and deliberate movements (refer to the “Picking Up Your Hedgehog” article) and hold it out in flat hands in front of you.What do hedgehogs do when they hibernate?
Hedgehogs hibernate in order to save energy, they may look like it but they are not actually asleep. When hedgehogs hibernate they put themselves into a state of decreased physiological activity called 'torpor' this helps them survive times of very low temperatures.How much weight does a hedgehog lose during hibernation?
Generally a hedgehog may lose one third of its body weight during hibernation and therefore a minimum weight of 600g is needed to survive the winter.Why is my hedgehog in a ball?
Pet hedgehogs curl up in a ball because of various reasons. In wild, hedgehogs roll into a ball because they feel a threat. Usually, it's a last resort tactic when there's no escape. When you have a pet hedgie, they might curl up from stress, startling movements, anger, and fear.Where do hedgehogs hibernate in the winter?
During the day, and during winter hibernation, the hedgehog will sleep in a specially built nest in thick undergrowth, under a shed, in piles of leaves or unlit bonfires. It will never sleep or hibernate outside a nest.Why is my hedgehog wobbly?
Neurological Diseases Commonly referred to as "wobbly hedgehog syndrome," hedgehogs can develop a neurological disease that causes them to, well - wobble. Ataxia progresses to falling over, being unable to right themselves, seizures, and eventually paralysis with many other symptoms in between. 
