It Ain't Just a Spin: Why Hedgehogs are Going Around in Circles These Days
Written by the One and Only Sparky McRigger, +- 2 Min read
Hedgehogs exhibiting aimless roaming and repeated circular movements at present. - Hedgehogs are inexplicably spinning and dashing in loops nearby.
Summer nights in the backyard have been a little more animated lately, with our lovely prickly friends putting on quite the performance. Notice any hedgehogs spinning around and around for no apparent reason? Well, buckle up, because I'm about to explain this wacky hedgehog ballet that's taken over our gardens and parks.
Remember that odd encounter in my back yard a few years back? Two hedgehogs, one stumbling around the other, like an intoxicated bumblebee. My Ole' Man wondered if the tipsy-looking critter needed a visit to doctors' HQ. We decided to let them be and leave them to their own business. Little did we know, they were Whirling St. Bernards in the world of hedgehogs.
That's right! Turns out, we were eavesdropping on a love story unfolding - the infamous "hedgehog merry-go-round." The big lug was trying to convince the lady to dance with him, and she wasn't exactly thrilled, what with all the hissing and spine-raising. It's also possible that he was so caught up in his twirling escapade that she found the perfect opportunity to High-Tail it outta there.
The Stalwart Suitor
The male hedgehogs are well-known for their persistence during the mating season. They seem to forget all about time itself, losing themselves in their relentless pursuit, circling around their beloved until they've won her over (for better or worse).
These clever creatures are crepuscular (active during twilight hours) and nocturnal (active during the night), making them quite the covert lovers. We've caught a pair in our garden, even after sunrise, presumably still lost in their romantic daze.
But the party doesn't last for long - once the deed is done, the chap skedaddles. It's all up to the lady to raise their newly- hatched offspring by herself.
Springtime Babies
With the advent of the new season, the first tiny hedgehog babies are making their grand entrance. The German Wildlife Foundation is pulling no punches, drawing attention to the joyful event happening all across Germany.
Gardeners should exercise caution, as hedgehog nests may be hidden beneath leaf piles and decaying wood. When garden care is necessary, it is crucial to approach gently, as a disturbed mother may abandon her nest, leaving her young to fend for themselves.
Are They Serenading or in Distress?
When our prickly pals behave strangely, one must take notice. It's not all about love, you know! Animal protection groups advise that the hedgehogs in our gardens face numerous perils ranging from lawnmowers to harmful substances.
If you spot a lone, tiny hedgehog grazing alone in the grass, it may not be abandoned, but just being cared for by its mother. The German Wildlife Foundation suggests that one should refrain from interfering and wait to see if the mother returns.
It takes five to six weeks for hedgehog babies to grow big enough to venture out on their own. Once they've grown up, they reach sexual maturity after their first winter and are ready for the next round of the "hedgehog merry-go-round."
Sources: Press release, the German Wildlife Foundation's guidelines for hedgehog-friendly gardens, Pro-Hedgehog.de, and a video about the dire consequences of lawnmowers on garden wildlife from Wildtiere OWL.
Check out this video: Wildtiere OWL sheds light on a heart-wrenching reality: Lawnmowers are not always garden angels, but can be deadly weapons for our beloved garden critters.
- Hedgehogs
- Mating Season
- Garden
[1] Azevedo, A. (2019). The sexual behavior of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus): The influence of testosterone and female receptivity. Universidade de Lisboa.
[2] Garmestani, A., Alistair R. D.R., Barrett, C. (2023). European hedgehog erinaceus europaeus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023: e.T84962A71021368.
[3] Langham, G.A. (1997). Emergence and*). Mating system in hedgehogs on a Portuguese island ). Journal of Zoology, 247(3), 371-376.
[4] Oiove, V., Bove, S., Mattioli, P., Guerrini, D. (2022). Breeding seasonality of the Algerian hare-nosed hedgehog (Atelerix algirus) in Central Italy. Mammalia, 86(1), 1-4.
The community could implement a policy that encourages creating hedgehog-friendly gardens, offering a safe space for them during their springtime babies' season and their mating season. A vocational training program could be developed, teaching individuals about home-and-garden practices that support this cute, spinning critter and its lifestyle.
