In article ,
says...
Hi all

We appear to have hedgehogs resident in our garden - probably living under
the shed.
On Sunday, a baby version was seen on the back yard with loads of oohs and
aahs from different members of the family.
Unfortunately, on closer inspection, said infant was discovered not to have
a "front end" so-to-speak!

Yesterday evening, there were two adults (I think) sort of nudging each
other round the back garden.

This morning I saw an adult with a baby near the shed sort of nuzzling in
the undergrowth.
Next minute, the adult had picked up the youngster in its mouth and was
heading for the shrubbery.

Numerous times recently, an adult has been seen wandering around the garden
in broad daylight (although usually at either end of the day).

Can someone please comment on whether this is all normal?
Do hedgehogs carry young in teeth, or do rivals eat others' young?
Was the nudging a court-ship or a face-off between rival adults?

Any informed opinion appreciated.

TIA

Phil



I think Hedgehogs have more than one litter so the nudging could be what
passes for a hot date!

A female with young is both bold and aggressive and a year or two back
ours terrorised the dog, chasing it off and would try the same to us,
also coming into the house and stealing the dogs food out of the bowl.
plus we would see it reguarly all through the day.

Baby hedgehogs are prey to all sorts of disasters and few make it through
their first winter
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea