Are you hearing strange noises in the garden?

28th May 2019

Usually by May, the mating season will be in full swing.

Hedgehogs reach sexual maturity in their second year of life, and after this can breed every year. Males attempt to woo females in lengthy encounters that involve much circling, sometimes lasting hours, and rhythmic snorting and puffing. The commotion can attract rival males resulting in head-butting and chases.

The actual process of mating is a predictably delicate operation, with the female having to flatten her spines to allow a male to mount. Radio-tracking studies have shown hedgehogs to be promiscuous, having several mates in a year… cheeky blighters!

Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets. Cute right? A mother will nurse for a few weeks and then show them how to forage, but after a month or two the young hoglets will be left to fend for themselves, so keep an eye out for little spiky visitors in your garden this summer.

Mothers can have a second litter in the Autumn, so don’t be surprised if you see more nests being occupied at the end of the Summer.

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