Who's tapping there?
Strange noises in the dark? That could be a hedgehog. These prickly creatures make no effort to be quiet and seem to have no manners: They smack their lips, snore, puff, and rumble like crazy. This can easily frighten many a gardener. But consider yourself lucky if you have a hedgehog in your garden: there's hardly a better weapon against slugs!
Hedgehog science
There are several species of hedgehog worldwide, but the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is found in Germany. These spiny animals have had their appearance for 15 million years, and their ancestors lived as long as 65 million years ago. In terms of evolution, they are among the oldest mammals still in existence. Their coat of spines consists of up to 8,000 two- to three-centimeter-long spines. This protects them from predators. A spine falls out after about 1.5 years, and a new one grows in its place. When curled up, a hedgehog can even drop from one to two-meter-high walls without hurting itself. Hedgehogs can live to be seven to eight years old, but the average life expectancy is only two to four years.
These cute little fellows leave their hiding places to search for food between dusk and dawn. During their nightly forays, hedgehogs rely primarily on their sense of smell. They possess the Jacobson's organ, a second olfactory organ located between the nasal and oral cavities. This allows them to perceive many sounds, including those well into the ultrasonic range. They react to the click of a lighter or a light switch, the clicking of a tongue, or the snapping of a finger, for example, by flinching or even curling up. Therefore, it's best to speak quietly in the presence of hedgehogs.
What's going on there?
Hedgehogs are quite loud animals. When they walk, they sometimes make quiet snorting noises or sneeze. When they eat, they smack their lips loudly; if you get too close, they can hiss loudly, and if they're in great danger, they can even scream piercingly. No other animal in the garden makes such human-like noises. But they don't have to hide their presence; after all, they're insectivores, and insects are notoriously deaf. Hedgehogs are generally not bothered by humans—unless you get too close! In that case, they quickly curl up into a ball of spines or scamper away.
Menu
A male hedgehog will travel about two to three kilometers each night to search for food – even swimming across rivers. In addition to worms, insects, and their larvae, they also happily devour carrion and other small vertebrates. Roots, seeds, and fruit are also part of their diet in small quantities. Plant-based food is more of a second choice and is only eaten by chance or when other options are too poor. Hedgehogs also eat snails – a hedgehog is a great way to control existing snail infestations! They use their pointed, sharp-edged teeth to open snail shells. By the way, hedgehogs shouldn't drink milk; they can't tolerate the high lactose content in milk. It's better to set up watering holes in your garden. Flat, sturdy bowls will save hedgehogs from dying of thirst, especially in dry summers!
offspring
Hedgehogs are solitary animals and are only interested in their fellow hedgehogs during mating season. The male hedgehog courts the female using what is known as the "hedgehog carousel," often circling her for hours, which also spins as a defensive device. If the courtship is successful, the female gives birth to four to seven young after about five weeks, which she raises alone. They are deaf and blind at birth; after two weeks their eyes and ears open. Baby hedgehogs are born in August and September. These cute little hedgehogs leave the nest for the first time at around 25 days old to go on short excursions. The trouble is, they are not yet aware of any dangers and are not accompanied by their mother. You should therefore be especially careful during these months.
Hibernation
Now in autumn, hedgehogs prepare for hibernation. They do not normally need human help. They buries themselves in a warm, soft place and there enjoy their well-earned sleep. To do this, they build themselves a spherical nest or find a pile of brushwood. In autumn, they quickly put on a layer of fat, which they use to store energy in the winter. These cute little creatures normally weigh 500 to 700 grams; after they have built up their fat reserves, they reach more than 1 kilogram. Hibernation can last up to six months. During this time, bodily functions are reduced to a minimum, the temperature drops from the normal 36°C to around 5°C, but is always higher than the ambient temperature. The heart beats about 8 times per minute instead of the usual 180, and the hedgehog breathes only three to four times per minute.
Hedgehog houses are also ideal for overwintering. Place it in a shady and well-protected spot and fill it with straw and leaves so the hedgehog can build its winter bed. Leave some leaves near the house as well. This way, the hedgehog can make itself comfortable if necessary. The entrance should always face away from the weather.
Hedgehog-friendly garden
A naturally landscaped garden with plenty of bushes and hedges offers hedgehogs ideal shelter, nesting opportunities, and food. With simple means, your garden can become a paradise for these little companions. Leave autumn leaves and fallen branches lying around; they are home to many insects that serve as food. Avoid ground-level wire fences, as hedgehogs can get caught there! Instead, opt for picket fences or hedges. Since hedgehogs roam large areas in search of food, you should also provide passageways in walls to the neighboring garden. During the day, hedgehogs like to hide in compost heaps, brushwood piles, or hedges.
Hedgehog help
Hedgehogs are strictly protected wild animals and may not be captured, harmed, or killed. Exceptions apply only to sick, injured, or helpless animals. You can usually recognize hedgehogs in need of help by the fact that they are out and about during the day, appear emaciated, or behave apathetically. If you find (young) hedgehogs in your garden in October, or often until the end of November under normal weather conditions, you can feed them outside. Only in the rarest of cases, i.e., in cases of obvious illness or wounds, is it beneficial for the hedgehog to be brought indoors.
Hedgehogs can be fed supplementary food, but should never be given a one-sided diet. Cat food mixed with oatmeal or wheat bran is ideal for fattening up a hedgehog, and special hedgehog food is also available. This should also only be mixed in with other foods and is not suitable as a sole food. Hard-boiled eggs and thoroughly cooked minced meat are also suitable as staple foods. Never feed leftovers, sweets, or spices.
