In January 2022, Rachel and Jay of Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue sat down with us at Oakham Nub News for an exclusive all about their young rescue centre and provided us with a huge amount of knowledge on how to help your local hedgehogs.

Since then, Rachel and Jay have had a busy few months with their home-based local rescue centre, but they have still found the time to catch up with us as Spring approaches and a host of new challenges face these endangered animals.

In case you missed it, you can find out more about Prickleback Urchin Rescue and the work Rachel and Jay put in here.

Now though, Spring has well and truly sprung, which means that it is time for the second instalment of all things 'Prickleback' from Rachel.

Looking around it is clear to see signs of spring appearing everywhere and the local hedgehogs are beginning to emerge from hibernation, but what does that mean for the prickly creatures?

Rachel explained: "Hibernation is a complex process during which the hedgehog will have dramatically reduced its metabolic rate, reducing their body temperature as low as possible without freezing. The hedgehog decreases its oxygen consumption, lowers its breathing and reduces its heart rate by a staggering 90% or more resulting in a torpor; this is very different to sleep.

"During hibernation hedgehogs will not have been completely inactive, they will have woken and moved about as the weather has changed.

"It is believed that males often emerge from hibernation slightly earlier than the females. When a hedgehog emerges from hibernation it may well have lost a quarter of its body weight or more! They wake with three things on their minds; food, water and reproduction!"

Now this isn't completely detached from human life after a big sleep, but hedgehogs are much more vulnerable and, with a suspected third of the hedgehog population in the UK being lost since the millennium, it is important that we try and keep them safe and sound.

Rachel offered some simple tips to help you do this: "If you do not already do so Spring is the ideal time to always ensure a plentiful supply of water in shallow dishes in your garden for the benefit of all wildlife. A hedgehog that has just awoken will need to urgently replace the fluid and fat it has been living off during hibernation. Sadly, if a hedgehog entered hibernation in poor health they will wake in a weak condition resulting in them breaking their nocturnal habit and emerging during the day.

"During the nesting and breeding season there may be rare occasions when a hedgehog will be seen out in the day but at this time of year it is important to remember the statement 'out in the day? Not okay!'

"Any hedgehog seen out in the day should always be treated as an emergency. We urge you not to leave a hedgehog spotted out in the day; too often people tell us that they have watched the animal for several hours or even days before taking action. Every minute counts and a nocturnal animal seen out in the day is in real trouble. The sooner lifesaving intervention can be started the greater the chances of recovery.

"If you spot a hedgehog out in the day please pick it up gently and carefully, ideally with gloves. Place it into a high sided box with fleece or torn newspaper and contact a rescue or veterinary practice for urgent advice. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society have very clear guidelines to help you keep the animal safe until it can be admitted into the specialist care it requires."

Rachel and Jay work closely with the veterinary team at the Rutland Veterinary Centre in Oakham and the cost of treatment and medication is the single largest outlay in the rehabilitation process.

As such, they have been holding and planning some exciting fundraising events for the community to enjoy.

Through their mission, Rachel and Jay have already gathered a great deal of support from the local community, as well as allowing one of their "bonkers" friends Kelsey to take part in a skydive, which is planned for the 13th April 2022, weather permitting. Through this extreme endeavour, Kelsey hopes to raise money to support the wonderful work of Rachel and Jay. Find out more and donate here.

Next up, they are hosting a fundraising quiz on Friday the 6th of May 2022 at Rutland Showground. Click here to find out more. Alternatively, email [email protected] or call 07817251561.

This cracking local event will coincide with hedgehog awareness week which is the 1st until the 6th of May 2022.

The bar will be open and we look forward to seeing you there!

Until then, see Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue's Facebook page for more information, or click on their Amazon Wishlist to donate items to the hard working duo.