Out of Hibernation

With the warmer days of spring, animals which have been in hibernation over the long winter begin to wake up. Hedgehogs are animals which hibernate in nesting sites made of grass and leaves.

In April, the males are thought to wake up first. Hedgehogs can be difficult to see as they are almost entirely nocturnal, which means they come out at night. After living off their body fat during the winter, their quest for food can mean they travel up to two miles a night.

The breeding season starts soon after, when the males look for a mate. Some time in May or June, the female has four or five hoglets, none of which have spines at birth. White, soft spines appear soon after. As they grow up they develop 5000 sharp, protective spines. Hedgehogs curl up in a ball at the first hint of danger.

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