What were the hogs up to?

[~T~]

Ok so firstly I was happy to find 3 hogs in my little garden when I went to put food out tonight! At first I just saw my usual (or at least I think so) hog nosing around where I usually put their food and it bolted into the undergrowth as soon is it heard me approach Then I became aware of a loud sniffling/snuffling/chattering coming from under the line of pine trees that separate my garden from my neighbours. At first I thought it was just one hog possibly in trouble or just feeding loudly but realised there were 2 beside each other having some kind of tussle. It appeared to be my other regular (smallish) and the newcomer was bigger (about the size of my other regular). Anyhoo the little one seemed to be making the noise and kind of butting/pushing the bigger one which just seemed to be slowly walking round the little one but very interested in it. The little one would always turn to keep facing it and butt it when it got too close all the time making the noise. I watched them for about 15 minutes then let them be. Would this be agressive behaviour or maybe breeding behaviour? Before I went back inside the first hog that ran returned and began to feed. It didn't seem interested in what the other 2 were up to and just seemed to want it's dinner. Here are a few pics I snapped.

The 2 hogs that were having the stand off





The third wheel

[Bob Fleming]

It could be male on male agression, or a female resisting the overtures of a male. They can be quite quarrelsome. Always nice to see a garden with Hedgehogs. Thanks for posting

[~T~]

Originally Posted by Bob Fleming

It could be male on male agression, or a female resisting the overtures of a male. They can be quite quarrelsome. Always nice to see a garden with Hedgehogs. Thanks for posting

Ahh thanks Bob. Is it late for them to still be breeding or what? I'm really surprised that there are any hogs here nevermind 3. My area is not exactly hog friendly but they seem to be surviving fine which is great. One hibernated in a homemade house in my garden over winter

Ok so just before I locked up I took a peek out and both were feeding. At least I think it's the two that were together earlier. One/both were still making the noise and squabbling with each other. You can see the size difference better in this pic.

[sweedie]

Awww Great stuff T... i miss my hedgehog didn't see it at all this year

Yours look very healthy,what are you feeding them,if you don't mind me asking?
I remember hearing alot of snuffing and scuffling noises back last summer, got so loud i wondered what on earth it could be and went out to investigate, i saw three hedgehogs also and just assumed it was some sort of breeding behavior?

Lisa

[~T~]

Originally Posted by sweedie

Awww Great stuff T... i miss my hedgehog didn't see it at all this year

Yours look very healthy,what are you feeding them,if you don't mind me asking?
I remember hearing alot of snuffing and scuffling noises back last summer, got so loud i wondered what on earth it could be and went out to investigate, i saw three hedgehogs also and just assumed it was some sort of breeding behavior?

Lisa

I feed them a mix of chopped peanuts (I use a food processor to chop them up),raisins/sultanas, some dried mealworms and some Gardman hedgehog food mixed in though they only eat this when they are really hungry and won't use anymore when it runs out. They seem to prefer the peanuts over anything. Best thing about this mix is that it doesn't attract cats.

[Bob Fleming]

Originally Posted by ~T~

I feed them a mix of chopped peanuts (I use a food processor to chop them up),raisins/sultanas, some dried mealworms and some Gardman hedgehog food mixed in though they only eat this when they are really hungry and won't use anymore when it runs out. They seem to prefer the peanuts over anything. Best thing about this mix is that it doesn't attract cats.

Sounds like you're doing your Hogs a real service. Well Done

[~T~]

So since first noticing the two hogs together I've observed them each night always together. The bigger one seems to be not that interested and just does normal hog things. The smaller one is extremely interested in the bigger one and constantly seems to be pushing/butting it. It walks backwards facing it and strangely waits while it feeds and does not eat. I'm thinking the smaller one could be a male interested in the bigger female. I wouldn't think 2 males would bother all that much with each other out with scuffles over food.

[~T~]

Both hogs together when I went to put food out. The little one immediately took off and the big one partially curled and froze. By the time I had bent down to put the food down and looked back up it had also scarpered. They really can move when they want to

[Bob Fleming]

Originally Posted by ~T~

Both hogs together when I went to put food out. The little one immediately took off and the big one partially curled and froze. By the time I had bent down to put the food down and looked back up it had also scarpered. They really can move when they want to

Yes, they're suprisingly nippy

[vole-woman]

They have longer legs than first appears, don't they? They sort of 'lift up their skirts' and run.