Hedgehogs on the move: Testing the effects of land use change on home range size and movement patterns of free-ranging Ethiopian hedgehogs

Abstract

Degradation and alteration of natural environments because of agriculture and other land uses have major consequences on vertebrate populations, particularly on spatial organization and movement patterns. We used GPS tracking to study the effect of land use and sex on the home range size and movement of a typical model species, the Ethiopian hedgehogs. We used free-ranging hedgehogs from two areas with different land use practices: 24 from an area dominated by irrigated farms (12 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀) and 22 from a natural desert environment within a biosphere reserve (12 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀). Animals were significantly heavier in the resource-rich irrigated farms area (417.71 ±12.77SE g) in comparison to the natural desert area (376.37±12.71SE g). Both habitat and sex significantly influenced the home range size of hedgehogs. Home ranges were larger in the reserve than in the farms area. Total home ranges averaged 103 ha (±17 SE) for males and 42 ha (±11SE) for females in the farms area, but were much larger in the reserve averaging 230 ha (±33 SE) for males and 150 ha (±29 SE) for females. The home ranges of individuals of both sexes overlapped. Although females were heavier than males, body weight had no effect on home range size. The results suggest that resources provided in the farms (e.g. food, water, and shelters) influenced animal density and space use. Females aggregated around high-resource areas (either farms or rawdhats), whereas males roamed over greater distances, likely in search of mating opportunities to maximize reproductive success. Most individual home ranges overlapped with many other individuals of either sex, suggesting a non-territorial, promiscuous mating. Patterns of space use and habitat utilization are key factors in shaping aspects of reproductive biology and mating system. To minimize the impacts of agriculture on local wildlife, we recommend that biodiversity-friendly agro-environmental schemes be introduced in the Middle East where the transformation from dry lands to ‘islands of fertility’ is often extreme.

Distribution, bioclimatic niche and sympatry of two Erinaceidae in Tunisia

“…Thus, P. aethiopicus is related to real desert environments. These remarks are in agreement with the observations of other authors who found the same preferences in this hedgehog in Qatar (Abu‐Baker, Reeve, Conkey, Macdonald, & Yamaguchi, ; Pettett, Al‐Hajri, Al‐Jabiry, Macdonald, & Yamaguchi, ). The Saharo‐Arabian origin of this species can explain its preferences and its local distribution.…”

An easy, flexible solution to attach devices to hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) enables long‐term high‐resolution studies

“…Our study resulted in a substantially longer duration of logger deployment than other GPS studies on hedgehogs at 42 days compared with the previous 8 days (Abu Baker et al, ; Braaker et al, ; Glasby & Yarnell, ; Recio et al, ). From our personal knowledge of many other attachment systems, the system we describe here is smaller and also enables a quick and easy exchange of data loggers, from small sensors for light, temperature, acceleration or noise to relatively heavy GPS‐loggers.…”

“…Previous studies have commonly used fast curing epoxy for the attachment of devices to hedgehogs (Abu Baker et al, ; Bontadina, ; Braaker, ; Braaker et al, ; Braaker, Obrist, Bontadina, & Moretti, ; Esser, ; Pettett, Johnson, et al, ; Pettett, Moorhouse, et al, ; Reeve, ; Warwick et al, ). However, the hot glue we used was more suitable to fix the back pack on the hedgehog's spines as it was easy, cheap, and fast curing.…”

“…The major improvement is the higher flexibility when attaching and removing devices. Other studies of hedgehogs did not reattach GPS devices to animals (Abu Baker et al, ) or they focused on the replacement of batteries (Boitani & Reggiani, ). For example, Braaker et al, () reported that they reattached their devices but did not provide any details on the method.…”

“…This procedure is harmless because spines are made of keratin throughout and do not contain nerves or blood vessels. In contrast to previous studies of hedgehogs (Abu Baker, Reeve, Conkey, Macdonald, & Yamaguchi, ; Abu Baker et al, ; Braaker et al, ; Pettett, Johnson, et al, ; Pettett, Moorhouse, Johnson, & Macdonald, ; Reeve, ; Warwick et al, ), we used hot glue to attach the back plate because a mobile hot glue gun (neo1, Steinel Vertrieb GmbH, Herzebrock‐Clarholz, Germany) can be used very quickly and precisely and is cost effective. Hot glue sets within seconds and is therefore much faster and deliquesces much less than other commonly used and in this project previously tested glues and epoxies.…”