Gardener alert - Why hedgehogs are currently waddling through the area 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. One hedgehog circled the other in somewhat wobbly movements. My husband asked worriedly if the hedgehog with apparent balance issues might be a case for the 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 courting ritual is aptly named the "hedgehog merry-go-round." The male hedgehog circles the female indefatigably. It can last for hours, as at the beginning, the female is usually uninterested, raising its spines and hissing. It even happens that he becomes so engrossed in his circular movements that she takes 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, it has happened that two hedgehogs were still sitting in the bed early in the morning – presumably deeply in love – while it was already broad daylight.
But the romance is short-lived: After mating, the male hedgehog leaves. She gives birth to the young on her own and is then a single mother.
In these days, the first little hedgehogs are born in Germany. The German Wildlife Foundation draws attention to this. Gardeners should be cautious, as hedgehog nests could be located where there is leaf litter and dead wood.
In such cases, gardening should be done carefully or avoided for a while. Disturbed hedgehog mothers might abandon their nests, alerting animal welfare organizations. Then the offspring, which are suckled for the first six weeks of their lives, will 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" is in the throes of love. Animal welfare organizations point this out. Our gardens pose many dangers to hedgehogs, from lawn mowers to toxic substances.
Lone hedgehogs sitting in the grass are often not orphans but are being cared for by their mothers. This can even happen during the day. In general, they should be left alone and observed.
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"
See the video: The Wildlife Association OWL draws attention to a regrettably common but fatal problem with lawnmowers: Lawnmowers often seriously injure or kill garden animals.
After observing the hedgehog courting ritual in our garden, I noticed that our garden in Germany is a popular spot for these love stories during the mating season. During pairing time, it's essential for gardeners to be cautious and avoid disturbing hedgehog mothers, as they might abandon their nests.
Despite the love stories unfolding in our garden, it's crucial to remember that lone hedgehogs found in the grass may not be orphans but are being cared for by their mothers. It's essential to observe them closely before taking any action.
