Gardeners take note - Why hedgehogs are currently staggering around and running in circles
Have you ever seen hedgehogs running circular paths? In the currently warm summer nights, this strange ritual can sometimes be observed in our gardens or parks.
A few years ago at our house, for instance: Two hedgehogs appeared on the terrace late in the evening, completely unfazed by human presence. The male hedgehog circled the female one in somewhat erratic movements. My husband was concerned that the hedgehog's apparent balance issues might indicate a need for a veterinarian. We decided to wait and not disturb them.
This was a good decision – as it turned out, we had stumbled upon a love story: The mating ritual is appropriately named "hedgehog merry-go-round." The male hedgehog circles the female repeatedly. This can last for hours, as the female is often uninterested at first, raising her spines and hissing. It even happens that he becomes so engrossed in his circular movements that she gets the opportunity to escape.
The hedgehog must put in a lot of effort to convince the female
Male hedgehogs must therefore put in a great deal of effort to get the female to lower her spines and allow them to mate. These nocturnal and crepuscular animals seem to lose track of time during the mating season. In our garden, for instance, it has happened that two hedgehogs were still sitting in the bed early in the morning – presumably deeply in love – even though it was already bright outside.
But the romance is short-lived: After mating, the male hedgehog leaves. The female gives birth to the young on her own and is then a single mother.
In these days, hedgehogs are born all over Germany. The German Wildlife Foundation draws attention to this. Gardeners should be cautious, as hedgehog nests could be located where there is leaf litter or dead wood.
In such cases, gardeners should be careful or wait a while. Disturbed hedgehog mothers might abandon their nests, alerting animal welfare organizations. The young, which are suckled for the first six weeks of their lives, would then starve.
A close look helps – is the hedgehog in love or in need of help?
Gardeners should also pay close attention when hedgehogs behave strangely. Not every "rolling around" is in the throes of love. Animal welfare organizations advise caution. Our gardens pose many dangers to hedgehogs, from lawnmowers to chemical substances.
Lone hedgehogs sitting in the grass are not usually orphans, but are being cared for by their mothers. This can even happen during the day. In general, one should leave them alone and wait and see what happens.
It takes five to six weeks for hedgehogs to grow large enough to venture out on their own. They become sexually mature after their first winter. Then they are ready for the next round of the "hedgehog merry-go-round."
Sources: Press release and information for hedgehog-friendly gardens from the German Wildlife Foundation, "Pro-Igel.de," Here on YouTube, you can see a hedgehog merry-go-round in a video.
Note: In the video, the Wildlife Protection Association North Rhine-Westphalia draws attention to a regrettably common but fatal problem: Garden equipment, such as lawnmowers, often seriously injures or kills hedgehogs.
During the mating season, our garden might witness many nocturnal activities, as hedgehogs circle each other in their mating ritual, known as the "hedgehog merry-go-round." Despite Germany being home to numerous newly born hedgehogs in these days, it's essential for gardeners to approach these creatures with care.
Late in the German summer nights, the sight of hedgehogs engaging in their mating rituals can be a fascinating experience in our own gardens or public spaces, reminding us of the unique developments that occur within these small, spiky creatures.
