I agree, dafffydil. Unless it is specifically for properly organised scientific research, for which a licence has been obtained (i.e. for the benefit of that hog or hogs in general) it should not happen. Even in that event that excessive use of substance is totally unnecessary.
If someone loves hedgehogs – learn to recognise them by their natural markings. I have learnt a lot about hedgehogs over the years, by recognising them from their natural markings. I am fairly certain that some hogs are actually re-artificially-marked with a different pattern, when the old version wears off. So does the person doing it even realise that is the same hedgehog, I suspect not. But once recognised by their natural markings, that hog becomes known. Then it can be recognised even upon return from hibernation and so it’s life can be followed for a longer term – and with no interference into its life (other than offering it a bit of supplementary food and water).
Bassman, there aren’t actually that many hogs around yet and the majority are probably males, so it’s easier for them to avoid each other at the moment – and males tend to become less tolerant of each other, when females are around.
When the females return if a hog smells differently it could interfere with social interactions. i.e. I had a gentle giant of a hog who used to visit here (he always managed to keep himself out of trouble) and then someone decided to mark him – after that the pecking order amongst the males ceased, in part, to exist and some ferocious fights took place. It was as if the other hogs no longer recognised him.
Similarly with a female if it was marked – it could smell differently and therefore become less appealing to the males. I suspect it would be difficult to prove this with 100% certainty either way – but, to me, it’s not worth the risk. Hogs are having a hard enough time without marking the poor things. So apart from the moral reasons for not marking hedgehogs, there is the risk that marking them could be interfering with them in a more damaging way – to the survival of the species as a whole.
Then there is the potential problem of ingestion of whatever substance is used. There is no way of knowing how that might effect hog behaviour or health. Also substance getting into the eyes of other hogs, if for example the marked hog is biffed.
Marking hedgehogs is WRONG in so many ways.
