Actually, hedgehogs can get very old for their small size, but since there is often no suitable habitat and there are enough predators and other enemies, most of the useful animals hardly even reach 30% of their actual life expectancy.

In a nutshell

  • hostile human environment more dangerous than predators
  • natural life expectancy between seven and ten years
  • most animals die between the ages of two and three
  • create a natural environment for animals to survive
  • many males are run over during the mating season in search of a female

Life expectancy

Theoretically, the cute little spiny animals have a life expectancy of between seven and ten years. But most of them don't get that old, because they are torn from their still young life beforehand by accidents or predators. A four-year-old animal is already considered old, although this is only the average age that the animals could expect in good living conditions:

  • high mortality rate at a young age
  • natural selection already in the newborn
  • many juveniles do not survive their first hibernation
  • often not enough food to prepare for sleep
  • older animals usually only live between two and three years
  • Hardly a hedgehog dies of old age

Notice: Hedgehogs also hibernate in the city, which should not be disturbed. Therefore, you should not remove any piles of twigs or branches from the corners of the garden before winter, as an animal could already be sleeping here. The animals, which are used to people, often build their nests in the immediate vicinity of the house.

life-shortening factors

Most deaths in young hedgehogs are due to the hostile, man-made environment. Not only in the cities, but also in rural areas, the animals suffer from the fact that it is becoming increasingly unsafe for them and many dangers are lurking, which are sometimes simply created unconsciously. This includes:

  • vehicles of all kinds
  • wide streets or lanes
  • shafts and pits
  • Nets, fences or walls in the garden
  • Burning piles of leaves in the garden that serve as hiding places
  • Insecticides and a lack of fallen fruit make foraging difficult

Notice: This is particularly problematic during the mating season. The males forget all caution when looking for a female and are often run over.

Natural predators

In addition to the threatening environment created, natural predators can also be to blame for the early death of the nocturnal animals. But it is far less common than death from accidents that the animals fall victim to enemies, especially when the habitat is in the city. Natural enemies include:

  • Badger
  • Fox
  • marten
  • eagle owl
As one of the few enemies, the badger also knows the weak spot on the stomach of the curled-up hedgehog.

frequently asked Questions

I heard hedgehogs transmit fleas, is that true?

Yes, unfortunately that is true. Because the cute animals are real flea transporters. Therefore, you should also be careful not to let a dog near you, let alone sniff it. Because the fleas quickly jumped onto the dog, especially when the last administration of a spot-on preparation was a long time ago. If you have to handle an animal yourself, you should protect yourself with gloves and long-sleeved clothing.

How can I avoid burning a hedgehog in the Easter fire?

The branches and twigs for an Easter or other traditional fire are often piled up days in advance. However, the hedgehogs see this as an invitation to find shelter here. Therefore, it makes more sense to set everything up just before lighting. Otherwise, a lot of noise has to be made all around before lighting, so that any hedgehogs that may have nested here can flee.

How many types of hedgehogs are there in Germany?

There are two kinds of popular animals in the local areas. The brown-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is native to the whole country. The northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus), which only occurs in the outskirts of East Germany, is rarer.

How can I help hedgehogs live longer?

It is important that the animals are offered a natural environment. As so-called culture followers, they have adapted to humans and like to stay in populated areas. Here they sleep through the day in nests they have built themselves. In order to create a living space that is as natural as possible for the animals and so that they can find enough food, it is advisable to create a natural garden.

Are hedgehogs loners?

Yes, they usually travel alone and the males in particular avoid rivals. The males are only looking for a suitable female during the mating season.

Category:

Animals in the garden