Hedgehogs typically hibernate during the cold winter months (November-March) and are only active during the summer. As the hibernation season takes up a major part of their life, we want to know more about their hibernation pattern in cities, in particular, but also look into activity in summer.
Why hibernation? Hedgehog breeding activity starts shortly after they come out of hibernation and baby hedgehogs (hoglets) are typically born between June and October. Thus, the body condition that they have after hibernation in spring can likely influence their breeding success and the survival of the hoglets.

Later in the year hedgehogs need to prepare for the hibernation season and should fatten up before the winter when they live from their body fat during hibernation. Failure to fatten up can mean that they do not survive the winter. Observations suggest that city hedgehogs may be active in winter or spend less time in hibernation (Gazzard et al. 2020), which could influence their body condition, health and also reproduction.