A notably large hedgehog weighing 3.3 pounds was brought to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, after becoming trapped in a shed door. The male hedgehog, nicknamed Hercules by rescue volunteers, measured roughly the size of a football, making him about twice as heavy as a typical specimen.

Volunteers expressed surprise at Hercules’s size, particularly as hedgehogs are preparing to enter hibernation during this time of year. While some weight gain is normal in the lead-up to hibernation, the amount of fat Hercules carried was considered unusual.

Experts at the wildlife hospital noted that an excessively large body can sometimes create complications for hedgehogs by preventing them from curling into a defensive ball. However, officials confirmed that Hercules was healthy and able to perform this natural behavior without issue.

After receiving care and observation at the center, Hercules was released back into the wild to continue his natural lifecycle as winter approaches. The case highlights the variability in hedgehog weight and the importance of monitoring wildlife as they prepare for seasonal changes.