Summat living in my compost heap

[Di]

I opened up a pile of compost to dig into my plot and found that something had dragged in a bundle of leaves - presumeably as a nest. No occupant, but a number of snail shells that had been eaten into.

Hoping its a rat I've annoyed not a hedgehog. I'd have thought a hedgehog would have been hibernating and in residence.... ideas?

[Chantal]

I've not met a rat that eats snails (and I've met plenty), but I think hedgehogs do. I may be wrong...

[Primrose]

I voted for a rat, only because I once disturbed one in our compost heap, although I suspect that if a nest had been made and snail shells were found, a hedgehog is a likely possibility. Just in case it's a hedgehog, can you rebuild some kind of shelter for it nearby, just in case it returns?

[madasafish]

field mice, frogs, lots of worms, slugs and lots of woodlice.

Nice for a stew.