Le Hérisson (Erinaceus europaeus L.) et la route

Abstract

Between 1964 and 1978, 3452 hedgehogs were killed by traffic on motorways and on some roads in the french speaking part of Switzerland. Observations of these animals have allowed the determination of the periods, weather conditions and places most favourable to their movements. The following points have been established : 1. In the spring, the majority of hedgehogs move between their winter and summer quarters. 2. The males frequently travel between March and July, their rutting period. 3. The females often travel just before giving birth. 4. Subadults disperse massively in early spring. 5. A number of the young hedgehogs disperse during autumn. 6. The majority of these movements occur when weather conditions change, at the end of a period of high pressure and north wind. 7. Urban areas are more densely populated by hedgehogs than forest or agricultural areas. 8. The outskirts of towns, as well as forest borders, rivers and hedges play an important role in the selection of their routes. We have concluded that hedgehogs can be protected along roads by creating and maintaining favorable conditions which enable them to move freely. When planning a road, an area, or a farm land redistribution scheme, the conservation or replanting of hedges, for example, would play an essential role in protecting hedgehog populations.