Anya's babies were born here on 10th June, so they're 3.5 weeks old now. This is the exact age that most 'abandoned' babies come into rescue, and here's why. It's 6.30am, the sun is up and it's daylight so mum has gone to bed for the day, (but it's still a bit too dark in the hospital for the cameras). She's in her own nest, away from her babies. She's left her precious babies sleeping safely in the maternity nest for the day, to encourage their transition from diurnal to nocturnal, and to wean them off daytime feeds from her. But for one little baby who should be asleep, it's just too exciting having ears and eyes that work, and teeth that are starting to erupt. He just can't wait. So with mum away, he sneaks out to have a little explore... All what you see here is happening in the safety of the mother and baby unit here at the hospital. But now imagine this happening in the wild. How easy it is for the baby to take the wrong turn. For mum not to hear. For a human to come and pick the baby up before mum has a chance to retrieve him. This is why it's so important that the first thing you do when you see a tiny baby out is to stop, stand still, keep your eyes on him from a distance, and ring a good rescue for advice. They will ask all the right questions and will be able to remotely assess the situation, and advise what actions, if any, need to be taken. Put the number of your local trusted hedgehog rescue in your phone now, ready, just in case.🥰