Spiky Surprises
Hedgehogs are like walking presents. They always appear unexpectedly and delight you with the realization that there are creatures in this world without a trace of malice.
Well… apart from the malice on them, in the form of spikes.
They’re endearing, somehow. Maybe because they don’t growl, bite, or run. They just curl up in the cutest way imaginable. You’d love to cuddle them! But then again… those spikes.
Hedgehog Cops
Hedgehogs are also the kind of animals you regularly have to call the animal cobs for. Because they’re cold. Or dehydrated. Or undernourished. Life isn’t easy for hedgehogs in our concrete world. That’s why I’ve made my garden ultra hedgehog-friendly.
As much as I’d love to tidy up, I gladly sacrifice my mountains of leaves and twigs for them.
Autumn on Tiny Feet
Only once did I see a hedgehog in broad daylight, carefully restocking its winter fat reserves. What a joy that was!
As if to underline the autumn mood, it walked around decorated with fallen leaves, like a seasonal mascot on legs.
Nocturnal Transformers
Most of the time, I only see them late at night. And then they seem like completely different creatures.
No more sleepy shuffling. Instead, they race around like maniacs. Should a cat happen to be in the way, the hedgehog won’t even hesitate. With great gusto, they slurp up my pond water and demolish slugs like it’s a buffet. Sometimes, I hear angry snorting from the bushes. Which is always a good sign: new hedgehogs in the making! And I can’t wait: tiny pink hedgehog babies in the garden… with tiny pink prickles.
