Real Fix Magazine
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This
No Result
View All Result
Real Fix Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Meet Thumbelina! The rare tiny hedgehog that will never grow any bigger

RealFix by RealFix
September 10, 2015
in Animals, Cute, Editor's Picks
0
Meet Thumbelina! The rare tiny hedgehog that will never grow any bigger

Alex Farmer with Thumbelina, the hedgehog, at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary in Whitby, North Yorkshire. 9 September 2015. The hedgehog has a rare condition which means it stopped growing - and will remain tiny all its adult life. See SWNS story SWHOG; The creature called 'Thumbelina' was rescued along with her family - but cannot be released back in to the wild because of her size. She weighs just 130g and is less than three inches tall and three inches in length - easily fitting into the palm of a hand. Her tiny size is down to a very rare condition known as "failure to thrive" which means no matter how much she eats she will never grow to the size of an adult.

172
SHARES
175
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsapp

This adorable hedgehog has a rare condition which means it stopped growing – and will remain tiny all its adult life.

The creature called ‘Thumbelina’ was rescued along with her family – but cannot be released back in to the wild because of her size.

Thumbelina the hedgehog at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary in Whitby, North Yorkshire. 9 September 2015.  This adorable hedgehog has a rare condition which means it stopped growing - and will remain tiny all its adult life.  See SWNS story SWHOG; She was rescued along with her family - but cannot be released back in to the wild because of her size.  She weighs just 130g and is less than three inches tall and three inches in length - easily fitting into the palm of a hand.  Her tiny size is down to a very rare condition known as "failure to thrive" which means no matter how much she eats she will never grow to the size of an adult.

She weighs just 130g and is less than three inches tall and three inches in length – easily fitting into the palm of a hand.

Her tiny size is down to a very rare condition known as “failure to thrive” which means no matter how much she eats she will never grow to the size of an adult.

Despite the illness, the three-month-old creature will go on to live a healthy life – despite being half the size of his siblings.

The tiny hedgehog was rescued alongside a litter of baby hedgehogs at the start of the summer after her nest was destroyed at the end of June.

Thumbelina the hedgehog with her brother from the same litter at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary in Whitby, North Yorkshire. 9 September 2015.  This adorable hedgehog has a rare condition which means it stopped growing - and will remain tiny all its adult life.  See SWNS story SWHOG; She was rescued along with her family - but cannot be released back in to the wild because of her size.  She weighs just 130g and is less than three inches tall and three inches in length - easily fitting into the palm of a hand.  Her tiny size is down to a very rare condition known as "failure to thrive" which means no matter how much she eats she will never grow to the size of an adult.
Thumbelina the hedgehog with her brother from the same litter

Alex Farmer with Thumbelina, the hedgehog, at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary in Whitby, North Yorkshire. 9 September 2015.  The hedgehog has a rare condition which means it stopped growing - and will remain tiny all its adult life. See SWNS story SWHOG; The creature called 'Thumbelina' was rescued along with her family - but cannot be released back in to the wild because of her size.  She weighs just 130g and is less than three inches tall and three inches in length - easily fitting into the palm of a hand.  Her tiny size is down to a very rare condition known as "failure to thrive" which means no matter how much she eats she will never grow to the size of an adult.

She was taken to Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary in Whitby, north Yorkshire, where she was cared for by Alex Farmer.

Alex noticed that one of the family did not grow, despite eating normally and being perfectly healthy, with her siblings now twice her size.

Alex, 26, said: “It’s a rare condition. I have never had a hedgehog with it before. I started to wonder why she wasn’t growing.

“It was quite a shock – I was worried about her. She had quite a few tests done.

“I thought she might have a worm infection or something that was stunting her growth, but she is perfectly healthy.

“I started to do some other research and spoke to other carers about it. A few said I have definitely got one with failure to thrive.

“It was quite interesting seeing the comparison between her and her siblings. When they get released, she will be staying behind.”

Thumbelina the hedgehog at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary in Whitby, North Yorkshire. 9 September 2015.  This adorable hedgehog has a rare condition which means it stopped growing - and will remain tiny all its adult life.  See SWNS story SWHOG; She was rescued along with her family - but cannot be released back in to the wild because of her size.  She weighs just 130g and is less than three inches tall and three inches in length - easily fitting into the palm of a hand.  Her tiny size is down to a very rare condition known as "failure to thrive" which means no matter how much she eats she will never grow to the size of an adult.

Despite a healthy diet of cat food and mealworms for treats, Thumbelina will have to remain in the sanctuary her whole life due to her size.

Alex added: “She is going to become a resident her at the sanctuary. She eats just as much as her siblings. I don’t know where it all goes.

“She has either meaty cat food or car biscuits, or wet dog food. As a treat, she loves mealworms.

“Hedgehogs in care can live up to 14, but we have no idea how long she will live.”

Her three siblings will be released into the wild later this month.

If you wish to donate to the sanctuary, visit www.whitbywildlife.co.uk

Alex Farmer who looks after Thumbelina, the hedgehog, at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary in Whitby, North Yorkshire. 9 September 2015.  The hedgehog has a rare condition which means it stopped growing - and will remain tiny all its adult life. See SWNS story SWHOG; The creature called 'Thumbelina' was rescued along with her family - but cannot be released back in to the wild because of her size.  She weighs just 130g and is less than three inches tall and three inches in length - easily fitting into the palm of a hand.  Her tiny size is down to a very rare condition known as "failure to thrive" which means no matter how much she eats she will never grow to the size of an adult.
Alex Farmer who looks after Thumbelina, the hedgehog, at Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary in Whitby, North Yorkshire
Previous Post

Find out how eating sushi for breakfast is helping this very rare little boy

Next Post

Terrifying toy! The birthday present that left 11-year-old in tears

RealFix

RealFix

Real Fix is a completely free true-life magazine. Check out our Facebook page for more videos and clips, or download our New Real-Fix Podcast for astonishing interviews with some of the real people behind our amazing stories.

Next Post
Terrifying toy! The birthday present that left 11-year-old in tears

Terrifying toy! The birthday present that left 11-year-old in tears

You Must See

Dog walks two miles, goes into strangers home then gets in bed for a snuggle

Dog walks two miles, goes into strangers home then gets in bed for a snuggle

May 17, 2022
83-year-old woman completes THIRD Tough Mudder endurance race

83-year-old woman completes THIRD Tough Mudder endurance race

May 16, 2022
Mum with rare spine condition to undergo potentially life-saving surgery thanks to a stranger’s £130,000 donation

Mum with rare spine condition to undergo potentially life-saving surgery thanks to a stranger’s £130,000 donation

May 16, 2022
BBQ fan awarded the accolade of Britain’s best burger – says the secret is beer-flavoured cheese

BBQ fan awarded the accolade of Britain’s best burger – says the secret is beer-flavoured cheese

May 16, 2022
Volunteers transform 5,000-year-old oak tree into incredible 50-seater ‘table for the nation’

Volunteers transform 5,000-year-old oak tree into incredible 50-seater ‘table for the nation’

May 16, 2022
Terminally ill man set to marry childhood sweetheart after family & friends raise more than £5,000 for the couple

Terminally ill man set to marry childhood sweetheart after family & friends raise more than £5,000 for the couple

May 16, 2022
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This

Real Fix is a trading style of South West News Service Limited.
Copyright © 2022 South West News Service Limited.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This

Real Fix is a trading style of South West News Service Limited.
Copyright © 2022 South West News Service Limited.