These incredible pictures prove spring has sprung early this year – with the birth of the first two little hedgehogs.
Volunteers at Prickles Hedgehog Rescue in Cheddar, Somerset, discovered the hoglets while doing a routine clean of the enclosure.
Hedgehogs normally produce young between between May and September.
Jules Bishop, founder of the Prickles sanctuary, said: “We know they are the only two recorded hoglets in the UK this year.
“It’s exceptional not only that they were born in captivity but they were born so early.
“They are going to be with us around two-and-a-half to three months before they are ready to be released into the wild.”
Unfortunately, the little prickly balls were rejected by their mother, so volunteers at the sanctuary have been hand-rearing them.
Jules added: “Their mum is fine, and the little ones are growing and getting stronger every day. They really are thriving.”
