Got a prickly situation in your garden? Here's what's going on with those wobbly hedgehogs
- by Annette Berger
- 2 Min
Mysterious wandering and repetitive circling behavior observed among local hedgehog population - Hedgehogs exhibiting unusual spins and circular runs in the vicinity.
Has your garden or park seen an unusual sight this summer? Hedgehogs zigzagging in circles may seem odd, but it's actually a regular occurrence during our warm summer nights.
You might have witnessed something similar at my place a few years back. Two spiky critters appeared on our terrace late one evening, giving off a vibe that they were indifferent to the presence of humans. One hedgehog moved erratically around the other in unsteady loops, causing my husband to ponder if this one may need a vet visit. We decided to stay hands-off and let nature take its course.
As it turned out, we stumbled upon an amorous escapade between these two hedgehogs - an event known as the "hedgehog carousel." During this ritual, the male hedgehog circles around the female in an obsessive pursuit. The female, usually uninterested initially, may raise her quills, hiss, and even take the opportunity to escape if the male becomes too oblivious.
A dense courtship in miniature
The male hedgehogs' romantic passion knows no bounds during the mating season. These small mammals, active mainly during twilight and nighttime, appear to lose all sense of time when they're smitten. On one occasion in our garden, two lovebirds - or hedgehogs, rather - remained entangled in their romance even until morning, basking in the faint daylight.
But once the deed is done, it's adios from the male, leaving the female to parent alone. She delivers her offspring unaccompanied, becoming a single mother by choice.
With the onset of warm weather across Germany, we're starting to see the first baby hedgehogs sprouting up. The German Wildlife Foundation urges gardeners to tread lightly since hedgehog nests are often hidden among rotting or dead foliage.
A closer look is needed - love or trouble?
When hedgehogs do strange things, it's essential to examine the situation closely. Not every "staggering" hedgehog is caught up in the throes of love. Animal protectors cautioned that our gardens are filled with potential threats to these little creatures, such as lawnmowers and dangerous chemicals.
If you find tiny hedgehogs all by themselves in the grass, they may just be under the watchful eye of their mother. The German Wildlife Foundation confirms that a mother hedgehog can pick up her young even during the daylight hours. In most instances, it's best to observe and wait to see if the mother returns.
It takes about five to six weeks for hedgehogs to grow large enough to leave the nest and venture out on their own. They reach sexual maturity after their first winter, ready to join the hedgehog carousel again.[1][2]
Sources:
- "Pro-Igel.de"
- Information for hedgehog-friendly gardens from the German Wildlife Foundation
[1] For a closer look at the "hedgehog carousel" in action, check out this video posted by the association Wildtiere OWL: Watch the video
[2] Be cautious when using "hedgehog carousel" in reference to a specific fictional or creative story - there is no evidence of it as a standard biological term.
As for the "hedgehog carousel" as an established mating ritual, while it might be a playful term used by wildlife enthusiasts to describe the male hedgehog's persistent pursuit, it is not officially recognized as such in scientific literature.
Here's how to support hedgehogs in your garden during their amorous escapades:
Leave shelter and food sources: Create a small part of your garden that remains wild, with piles of leaves and logs, providing safe havens for these creatures during breeding season. Offer supplementary food, such as meat-based cat or dog food, but avoid bread and milk, which can harm them.
Avoid interfering: Minimize noise and limit human interaction, especially at night when hedgehogs are most active.
Ensure access: Create hedgehog highways by cutting holes in your fence or wall, allowing them to roam freely.
Avoid chemicals: Steer clear of using slug pellets, pesticides, or weed killers, which may poison hedgehogs or their food sources.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that hedgehogs thrive and successfully mate, navigating the trials and tribulations of love in the wild.
- Community members who are keen on improving their garden aesthetics might find fascination in the intriguing lifestyle of hedgehogs, a subject often overlooked in vocational training programs related to horticulture.
- As advocates for a hedgehog-friendly lifestyle, homeowners can incorporate fashion-and-beauty elements such as hedgehog-friendly plants and decor into their home-and-garden designs, while considering food-and-drink options suitable for these adorable creatures.
