The One Who Lives In My Garden

It's always nice to see a hedgehog in the garden! They say that hedgehogs live where the ecology is good. The common hedgehog, or European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), which lives in forests in bushes in gardens is most often found. The life span of a common hedgehog is about 6 years.

Hedgehogs are helpers in the garden, they fearlessly catch and eat snakes, ravage mouse nests, snails and slugs. Hedgehogs are not afraid of stinging insects. It costs him nothing to destroy the hornet's nest in the ground and eat its inhabitants, not paying attention to the numerous bites of wasps guarding their nest.

In Russian children's picture books, artists often depict a hedgehog carrying an apple on a prickly back. This is probably why many people have the mistaken belief that hedgehogs eat fallen apples. But they don't!

Biologists say that hedgehogs are especially attracted to hedges and secluded places for housing and nesting. Hedgehogs often build their hut for wintering between the roots of trees, in the hollows of stumps, sometimes in holes or in depressions in the ground.

This summer I met a hedgehog several times in the evening. He was sitting, basking on the patio tiles, warmed by the sun. He probably lives somewhere under the barn, there are just the roots of an old maple tree.

 

Have you met a hedgehog in your garden or near your home? What was he doing?