Hibernation in the garden: You can find hedgehogs, birds and insects in six locations
Created: 12/31/2022, 09:00
By: Joana Lück
When animals hibernate or hibernate, their body temperature drops and they require less energy.
The following hiding spots are suitable for animals seeking shelter.
Only bats, dormice, hedgehogs and marmots are real hibernators in the garden, while raccoons, squirrels and badgers only hibernate according to the
German Nature Conservation Union
(NABU).
Winter quarters for animals: You can find hedgehogs, birds and insects in six places
Hedgehogs prefer to hibernate in piles of leaves.
© Stock&people/Imago
In order for hedgehogs and other animals to feel comfortable in the garden, the precautions should be taken in autumn: piles of leaves, branches lying around or high grass - everything that people would describe as "messy" is appropriate as winter quarters for mammals and birds.
You can find even more exciting garden topics in the regular newsletter of our partner 24garten.de.
NABU
knows where it is most likely to find a hibernating animal
:
In the dead tree: Bats like to seek out caves or old trees where they can hibernate.
There they are protected from frost.
Heaps of leaves and brushwood: The right place for the hedgehog to hibernate is in a heap of brushwood or leaves.
But insects can also be found in this place.
Deadwood: Hedgehogs also sleep in deadwood.
That is why it is important not to touch the deadwood in winter, as this could disturb sleeping animals.
Garden shed roof: The roof of the garden shed is a popular hiding place for various insects and bats.
In addition, you help if you attach an insect nesting aid and a bat box.
Garden pond: Amphibians and dragonflies appreciate plant stems in the pond and wait there for the next spring.
Shrubs: According to
NABU
, trees and shrubs such as hazel bushes, holly, spindle trees, blackberries or even an old cherry tree offer birds an ideal hiding place and also food to survive the cold months.
If you find an animal hibernating in your backyard, it is important that you do not disturb it.
Because every disturbance costs the animals energy.
