Ecology experiment on hedgehogs

Question

Hi,

I'm wondering what kind of ecological experiments could I do with hedgehogs?

I can set up a camera trap.

During the month of September, what can I test?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi (again) Vivien.

Ecology experiment on hedgehogs

I'm wondering what kind of ecological experiments could I do with hedgehogs?

I can set up a camera trap.

During the month of September, what can I test?

From your question, it sounds like we are on opposite sides of The Pond. There are no wild hedgehogs here in New York. You are referring to wild hedgehogs, yes?

If this is the case, then I can think of several possible test questions.

You could look at the Autumn Orphans and estimate their body weights and chances of surviving hibernation. Autumn orphans are late-born babies that can be seen starting as early as Spetember. These animals have a reduced hibernation survival rate because of their small size, and from what I have read, some are even too small to be able to hibernate at all.

You could also look for food preference changes. Adult hedgehogs will begin getting ready for hibernation, and you might expect them to be looking for calorie-dense foods in preparation.

You could look for mating behavior or autumn hoglets joining their mothers on foraging trips.

These are just a few ideas that I found during my research. I used these sites:

https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/autumn-juveniles/

https://www.arkwildlife.co.uk/blog/all-about-hedgehogs/

https://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/articles/view/helping-hedgehogs

Good luck!