European hedgehog

Description:

Here, results of my backyard observations of hedgehog - over the five-night period, I got pretty neat hedgehogs' footprints every night, which suggested that I unwittingly have chosen a spot very near his burrow. All four feet are neatly printed in first two pics. In the third pic, two sheets of paper are taken out of the tunnel and photographed immediately - small prints on left are some voles; the majority of prints are hedgehogs', and there is one of domestic cat.

Habitat:

Backyard of a suburban flat-complex, overseeing a large prairie kept for grazing purposes (pic N°4). Very close to the town center, but also to a (protected) lowland oak forest. Rural suburbs of Geneva, Geneva lake valley.

Notes:

1. These prints were taken during observations I did for "Mission Hérisson" or Hedgehog Mission in my backyard. All observations are nocturnal, during which animals are lured into a small tunnel where they leave prints in exchange for some food. The ink used is organic and home made - some charcoal powder mixed with canola oil, and it washes away easily. 2. I must say I was lucky with my tunnel/trap and must have unwittingly found the place where this Hedgehog was staying, as I also heard him/her one night when I was renewing baits - the sound I heard was the some sort of loud breathing/soft grunts - exactly like the sound number 2 and 3 in this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86ojTgt2... .