Co-habiting hedgehogs

[ephyzephy]

I’m slightly confused as up until now I’ve always experienced hedgehogs as relatively solitary creatures except during mating season. Our garden has been home to a few hedgehogs but they don’t socialise particularly.

Last autumn we got some great video of one hog nesting under our barbecue (which has a big plastic cover). This spring, I’ve spotted the same hedgehog emerging from under the barbecue, but it now appears a second hog is sleeping under there too.

This seems very unlike what I’ve previously witnessed. Has anyone else seen behaviour like this?

[stef]

Yes they can often share an area. Especially if it’s a good nest site. But it won’t be that they are ‘best friends’

It could also be a female with last years youngster

[ephyzephy]

No, I knew they weren’t best friends for sure. Both are returning hogs that were there most of last year. One is definitely more dominant and has a habit of shunting the other around. The less aggressive one also appears less wide ranging – it feeds a good 6 or 7 times at our feeding area per night and often returns to the nest during the night. The other spends much more time further afield.

Thanks for the info. It does look from the camera that they take different turns when they get under the canvas.

[Author]

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