Some Hog Facts

• A hog found out in the open during the day usually means it is in difficulties. It may only have had its nest disturbed, but it is more probable that it has a medical problem: please contact Angela (see Home page)

• An apparently healthy hog found foraging in the months November to February is probably underweight and my need to be over-wintered by a carer: please contact Angela (see Home page).

• Hogs should not be fed bread or milk, it will give them upset tummies. It is much better to give cat food containing white meat such as chicken, turkey, rabbit or lamb. Do NOT give them fish, beef or any meat in gravy.

• Hogs teeth are decidous which means they have two sets of teeth in a normal lifetime, one milk set and one set of adult teeth.

• Hogs do not usually bite humans unless they are extremely stressed, such as after being attacked, their jaw is not strong enough to cause any injury to humans.

• Hogs are not territorial, they have a home range that can be upto 3.2 km to 4.8 km (2 to 3 miles). They follow this range at night and avoid other hogs. If two hogs meet, they tend to "huff" at each other before moving on.

• Hogs often have several sleeping nests during the summer months. They may sleep in one nest for a few nights and then spend some time at another nest. It is common for a hog to share its sleeping quarters with another hog, but not at the same time!

• Hogs are essentially insectivors, although they have been known to trap and eat fledgling birds, rats and snakes.

• Hogs do not necessarily have fleas, and if they do, fleas tend not to bother the hog unless it is a particularly heavy infestation which could drain the strength of a small hog and may significantly reduce its chances of survival. Some hogs are lucky enough to avoid getting fleas.

• The time for hogs to hibernate is usually November. It does this by gaining 600 grams, or more, in weight and building a safe, dry nest. When it hibernates it curls into a tight ball, and will wake every 7 to 11 days throughout its hibernation. It may not leave its nest but it will become fully conscious. It can take several hours for a hog to awake from its hibernation, this is why if a bonfire is lit where a hog is hibernating, it will not be able to escape in time.

• A hog has two types of fat which it needs to ensure that it survives through the winter months. The first type is white fat that covers most of its body, and which sustains it during the winter months. The second type is red fat which is laid down over its head and shoulders; this provides an extra boost to the hog when it awakes in the spring.

• Hogs do not normally curl into a ball when asleep; they often sprawl length-ways like a very relaxed cat. However, they do curl into a tight ball when hibernating.

• When a hog needs to curl up into a ball it uses three sets of muscles - one set on its head and one set over its hind legs that activate the curling position. A third set of muscles is located around the 'skirt' of the hog which acts like a draw-string bag. Once the third set of muscles is activated, the first two sets of muscles relax and the whole ball shape is maintained by the third set of muscles.

• Hogs are born without spines; they have a thin membrane or blister over their skin through which tiny white spines start to grow within an hour of being born.

• Most slug pellets are potentially lethal to hogs, and are often eaten by hogs either directly or indirectly via slugs that have been poisoned by slug pellets.

• The main natural predator of hedgehogs is the badger.

• Hogs are solitary animals.

• Hogs are not territorial.