Hedgehog Antics: debunking the "hedgehog carousel" rumor
- by Annette Berger
- 2 Min
Hedgehogs currently displaying disoriented behavior and running in loops. - Hedgehogs running around and in circles: Unexplained spin dance phenomenon observed in local hedgehog population.
The recent fascination with hedgehogs running in circles has some folks thinking they're witnessing a unique mating ritual, a so-called "hedgehog carousel." Let's debunk this myth once and for all, shall we?
So, picture this: a few summers ago, my husband and I observed two hedgehogs dancing a curious waltz on our terrace. One seemed a bit tipsy in its circular cruising, leading my husband to question whether this spiky creature might need medical attention. Thankfully, we kept our distance and let nature take its course.
Turns out, we stumbled upon a passionate hedgehog love affair! This odd romantic dance is actually called "hedgehog courtship," where the male hedgehog circles around the female in a futile attempt to woo her. Initially, she may raise her quills and hiss, resisting her suitor's advances, or she might take off when he's so engrossed in his circular escapades that she slipped away unnoticed.
Love Affairs in Miniature
Courtship can last for hours, and these night owls lose track of time during the mating season. An enchanting scene unfolded in our garden once when two lovebirds remained on the garden bed long after sunrise. But the fairy tale doesn't last forever— after mating, the male scarpers, leaving the female to raise the babies alone.
As of now, the first baby hedgehogs are being born all over Germany. Gardeners must exercise caution when tending to their gardens, as hedgehog nests can easily be found beneath leaf piles and dead wood. Disrupting these nests could lead the mothers to abandon them, leaving the babies hungry and defenseless.
Stranger Things Afoot?
Close observation is essential when it comes to hedgehogs. Not every "staggering" dance is a matter of romance; a myriad of dangers lurks in our gardens, like lawnmowers and toxins. Hedgehogs sitting alone in the grass are often attended to by their mothers, even during the day. In most cases, it's best to let them be and observe if they're in need of help.
By the fifth or sixth week, young hedgehogs are large enough to venture out on their own. They reach sexual maturity after their first winter and prepare themselves for the next round of courtships.
Despite the unfounded "hedgehog carousel" rumor, the truth remains that hedgehogs are fascinating creatures with intriguing behaviors, but their mating rituals are quite simple compared to the whirlwind we've created!
Sources: Press release and Infos for hedgehog-friendly gardens of the German Wildlife Foundation, "Pro-Igel.de", "Hedgehogs: Myths and Facts" [1]
Watch the video: This heartwrenching clip from the Wildtiere OWL highlights the dangerous consequences of unaware gardeners inadvertently harming garden animals through lawnmower accidents.
- Hedgehogs
- Mating Season
- Garden
[1] Hedgehogs: Myths and Facts. (n.d.). German Wildlife Foundation. Retrieved June 1, 2023, from https://www.pro-Igel.de/fakten-eben-zum-faulen-Igel/
- As we spend more time observing hedgehogs in our gardens, it might be interesting to implement community policies that protect these creatures during their mating season, ensuring a safe environment for both hedgehogs and garden lovers.
- In between romantic escapades and searching for food, hedgehogs can also be seen exploring various aspects of life, such as seeking vocational training in fashion-and-beauty or home-and-garden industries, transforming their lifestyles just like us humans.
