Hedgehog Thumbelina with rare condition that stops it growing
- 5 years ago
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.
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.
She was taken to Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary in Whitby, north Yorkshire, where she was cared for by Alex Farmer.
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.
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.
She was taken to Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary in Whitby, north Yorkshire, where she was cared for by Alex Farmer.