Winter Mode
 

Hello all you wonderful hedgehog people out there. I was just wondering:
Do hedgehogs instinctually know when winter is approaching and eat more? I am only asking because I have noticed that my hedgie has been eating more food of late and been gaining a little bit of weight. It's nothing really to worry about but I was wondering if they actually can sense a change in the season, even if they are in a warm, temperature regulated house?

Re: Winter Mode
 

Yes, some do. My Smokey in particular was one I noticed used to eat more and put on weight in the fall and loose it in the spring. Every year he did it.

Re: Winter Mode
 

Do you have the extra lighting available? We leave the light on from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. so they wont notice the longer darker days.

Re: Winter Mode
 

I believe they do. My Hedgie used to pack lots of wood chips whenever it was going to snow or get really cold. He'd build a big nest around him.