A wildlife rescue that took in what was thought was a baby hedgehog found it was actually caring for a bobble from a hat.
It was brought to the Lower Moss Nature Reserve and Wildlife Hospital by a well-meaning rescuer last week.
On arrival they discovered the hoglet was in fact a "faux furry friend", a volunteer for the animal charity said.
"Our hearts melted", the volunteer at the rescue, based in Knutsford, Cheshire, added.
The rescue posted on social media a photo of the decorative ball, showing it nestled in a box beside a bowl of food.