How many hedgehogs?

[Pindsvin pige]

I’ve been feeding what I assumed was one hedgehog for several weeks now. He is fairly regular in the time he visits and his route away after his tea. Last night he appeared to visit twice, an hour apart, eating from different sides of the dish each time and leaving in different directions. Is it likely my hedgehog may be two hedgehogs? How fixed are they in routine? What do folks think. I’m an excited but very new hedgehog champion and would welcome some wiser heads.

[Sam_]

The hedgehogs visiting my garden seem to have quite fixed routines (eg, how they get in to the garden, time of visit, what they do afterwards, etc.). Establishing the behaviour of any individual is tricky because they’re difficult to tell apart – ok, size can be a bit of a clue for sure but most are of a similar size and it’s difficult to see any distinguishing markings with the nIR camera I use. It’s quite possible you now have two – you might get more as the season of love gets going! – but it could just be one who likes a nap between courses; in Feb, one hedgehog was coming in for food and had naps in the shrubbery (lasting 30 minutes to 3 hours) between food hut visits! He/she always used the same ‘hedgehog highway’ into/out of my garden. I’m sure the food you put out will be most appreciated and word will spread! Sam_

[Pindsvin pige]

Thanks for your helpful comments Sam. The mystery is solved as tonight a second hedgehog appeared shortly after the first had begun eating. A headbutt and a small scuffle ensued and the first hedgehog left. I’ve spread the food out now and hoping they’ll feed nicely or come at different times. I’m assuming this kind of fighting won’t really result in any damage to either as it didn’t seem to vicious. Am I right?

[Author]

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