Activity budgets of hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in rehabilitation centers: A pilot study

Abstract

Erinaceus europaeus, the European hedgehog, was formerly very common but has recently suffered a decline across several European countries. There is a long-standing tradition of hedgehog rehabilitation centers across Europe with reported high rewilding success. Surprisingly, however, few data exist on the behavior of the animals while in these centers. To gain a better understanding of hedgehog behavior under husbandry conditions of rehabilitation, we documented the behavioral repertoires of four hedgehogs over a 48-hour period, including behavioral observations and quantification of food consumed and distances covered per day. Most of the hedgehogs' time was spent resting, comprising about 20 h in a 24-hour period. The majority of activity occurred at night and was spent feeding, followed by locomotion. Daily food consumption (of a dry cat kibble) ranged from 31 to 71 g of dry matter in 16–41 feeding bouts (1.1–2.6 g/bout, 2.4–3.8 min/bout). The hedgehogs covered a mean distance of 34–335 m per day, with a mean speed ranging from 0.12 to 0.25 km/h. Compared to data from free-ranging specimens, the hedgehogs spent less time active and covered less distance per day. No stereotypical behavior was observed. These findings suggest that for the aim of rehabilitation, husbandry conditions are adequate; for long-term husbandry, modifications that facilitate more locomotion and more foraging behavior would be required.