Body Mass Dynamic in Hedgehog Population at the Berlin Zoo

Body Mass Dynamic in Hedgehog Population at the Berlin Zoo | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Body Mass Dynamic in Hedgehog Population at the Berlin Zoo Daniel Opoku Owusu This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7547191/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The study examined body mass changes in 50 hedgehogs also known as Erinaceus eurapaeus over a 41 days at the Berlin Zoo. We monitored them using camera surveillance, frequent cage visits for direct observation, and standard weighing techniques for both sexes and capture frequency recorded to assess variation in mass change. Mean body mass increased by 32 gram overall, with males gaining an average of 65 gram and females 10 gram, the difference between sexes was statistically significant. Capture frequency showed no correlation with mass changes. Two hedgehops died early in the study, highlighting potential health vulnerabilities associated with handling. These findings suggest that males may prioritize weight gain as part of reproductive and overwintering strategies, while female on the other hand invest energy differently for offspring upbringing. Capture effects appear minimal in a controlled conditions. By providing consistent food availability and health monitoring, the Berlin Zoo enable stable growth patterns that correspond to the wild population. This controlled Zoo study provides insights into hedgehog ecology and supports conservation efforts, including the optimization of feeding programs for captive and urban population. Animal Science Hedgehog body mass dynamic Figures Figure 1 Introduction Hedgehops also known as Erinaceous eurapaeus are nocturnal insectivore native to Europe, valued for their role in controlling insect habitats and serving as indicators of ecosystem health (Morris, 1998). Body mass is a critical measure of their health, reflecting foraging success and readiness for hibernation, when energy reserves are essential for survival (Reeve, 1997). Body mass variation can reveal ecological and behavioural patterns, influenced by sex, season and environmental conditions. For instance, males often gain more mass to support reproductive efforts, whereas females may allocate more energy to offspring care (Jones et al. 2005 ). Due to captive measure and the aggressive nature of these hedgehop, the Berlin Zoo offer a controlled environments to study these dynamics while respecting hedgehops status as protected wild animals. This study conducted at the Berlin Zoo, investigate body mass dynamics in an enclosed hedgehog environment. We addressed the research question: how do body mass changes in a hedgehog population vary by sex and capture frequency for over 41 days. We hypothesized that males would exhibit greater body mass gains than females due to reproductive energy demands, and that higher capture frequency would reduce mass gains due to handling stress. The objective were to quantify body mass change in 50 hedgehogs, compare mass changes between males and females and to assess whether capture frequency influences body mass trends. This study aims to inform captive hedgehog management and contribute to broader conservation strategies (Brown & Green, 2020 ; Smith, 2010 ). Methods Study area and Population This study was conducted at the Berlin Zoo, where 50 hedgehops were monitored for over a 41 days in a controlled enclosure designed to mimic their natural habitat. The hedgehogs consisted of 26 females and 24 males. Each hedgehog was assigned to a unique Identity Number (ID 1 to 50). The study complied with ethical guidelines for handling protected species, with all procedures approved by the Zoo welfare committee. Measurement and Monitoring Body mass was measured in grams at the beginning and end of the study using digital scale accurate to the nearest gram. Monitoring and feeding were carried out at 2 to 3 hour intervals. Hedgehogs were provided with a variety of insects such as mealworms, crickets, waxworm and beetles, each feeding was observed to assess their responses to different prey types. In addition, an agricultural company sponsored the study by supplying hedgehog fertilizer product for testing. Because the research was done in the open space of the Berlin Zoo, some visitors also offered fruits and these supplementary items were considered when evaluating potential changes in feeding habits. Weighing was conducted every five days and veterinary staff performed regular health checks using diagnostic instruments. Hedgehog received medications to maintain their health when necessary during each week of the project. Capture frequency was determined using live traps placed at each corner of the enclosure cage. Hedgehogs that were caught were marked with a coloured band, and the number of times a hedgehog was recaptured represented its capture frequency. For instance, if a hedgehog was captured three times, its capture frequency will be three. These procedures were performed by trained staff to minimize stress. However, two hedgehog with IDs 14 and 15 died early in the study, likely due to improper handling by untrained personnel. They were included in the initial measurements but excluded from the final analysis due to incomplete data. Data analysis Body mass change was calculated as the difference between final and initial mass for surviving hedgehogs. Descriptive statistics were written and documented, but later computed to the system for initial and final body mass and separated by sex. Two sample t-test with unequal variances was used to compare mean body mass change between both sexes. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between capture frequency and mass change. Analysis were conducted in RStudio (version 4.2.1.). The two hedgehog that died during the project were excluded from change analysis but retained in overall results. Hedgehog body mass changes by sex were visualized in a Bar chart (Fig. 1 ). All handling and monitoring followed the Berlin Zoo regulations to ensure minimal disturbance. Results The study included 50 hedgehogs, 26 females and 24 males monitored for over 41 days at the Berlin Zoo. Two male hedgehogs with IDs 14 and 41 died early in the study, at 2 and 7 days respectively, due to mishandling by untrained staff. They were included in the initial measurements but excluded from the body mass change analysis. Results summarize body mass changes and capture frequency for the 48 surviving hedgehogs. Body mass changes Initial body mass ranged from 192 gram to 964 gram. Female body mass ranged from 220 gram to 974 gram, while male body ranged from 159 gram to 953 gram. The final body mass increased from 690 gram to 1340 grams, with females ranging from 127 gram to 984 gram and males from 167 gram to 1018 gram. On average, males gain 65 gram while females gained 10 gram. A two sample t-test was done to indicate that this difference in body mass change between females and males was statistically significant. These findings support the hypothesis that males gain more body mass than females, likely reflect reproductive energy strategies. Body mass changes were gradual across the month, with the highest gain between 15 and 25 days. Regular weighing was done every 5 days to confirmed consistent growth patterns for most of the hedgehogs. Veterinary checks indicated that the majority of hedgehogs remained health, with no additional deaths or major medical interventions required during the study. Feeding pattern Hedgehogs were displayed with variety of different insect prey, but responses to beetles and crickets were consumed most readily. The commercial hedgehog diet provided by the sponsoring agricultural company was accepted by most hedgehogs, while visitor provided fruits were eaten irregular. Although these food source contributed to the dietary variety, they did not appear to strongly influence overall body mass change. Capture frequency Capture frequency ranged from 0 to 4. Females had a higher mean capture frequency 3.0 than males 2.2. Pearson’s correlation showed shows slightly significant relationship between capture frequency and mass change, indicating that handling did not reduce body mass gains. This outcome does not support the hypothesis that frequent capture negative affects growth. Discussion Our study at the Berlin Zoo provides insights into body mass dynamic in a captive hedgehog population. We observed that male gain more body mass which is consistent with Jones, Smith and Taylor(2005), who showed that males often accumulate more body mass to support reproductive behaviors and survive hibernation more effectively. The relatively small gains in females suggest different energetic priorities, as females allocate more resources to reproductive care and maintenance. The role of stress was also considered. Although capture frequency did not significantly reflect in the body mass gain in our study, Brown and Green(2020) highlighted that stressors in small mammals can alter energy allocation and suppress growth. Our enclosure berlin zoo controlled environment may have minimized stress compared to wild conditions, explaining why capture did not show negative effects. Nevertheless, the early deaths due to mishandling demonstrate how stress can have lethal consequences. Long term ecological studies such as Morris(1988) demonstrate how hedgehog body mass varies seasonally and across habitats, underlining the importance of resource availability and environmental stability. Similarly, Reeve(1994) emphasized the strong link between pre-hibernation body condition and overwinter survival. These works provide context to our findings. The berlin zoo offered consistent food supply, leading to stable but modest mass gains compared to wild populations where seasonal variation drives stronger fluctuations. Urban ecology further shapes hedgehog body mass. Smith(2010) showed that urban hedgehog populations often have greater fat reserves due to anthropogenic food, but also face risks such as road mortality, disease and bush fire by human activities. In our project, body mass gains may mirror this dynamic benefiting from human provided diets but within the safety enclosed environment without road pressures and bush fire activities. Recent studies reinforce these connections. Taucher et al.(2020) documented the decline in urban hedgehog abundance due to stress, predation and parasitism, while Gizzard(2022) highlighted the importance of garden habitats and human actions in shaping hedgehog survival. The Berlin Zoo mimic the urban settings in providing artificial but stable food supplies, making these findings directly relevant. In sum, our study contributes to understanding how controlled environment can support hedgehog health and management practices that may be adapted to conserve hedgehogs’ population under increasing environmental pressures. Conclusion Our study showed that, male hedgehogs in the Berlin Zoo gained more body mass than females, which shows that males build more body mass to survive hibernation and to be competitive in reproduction, while females saved energy for reproduction. Handling and capture frequency were not found to be negatively affecting their mass gain. The early mortality of the two hedgehog that died during the early stage of the project highlights the importance of careful, and standardized procedures in a captive environment without endangering them. As compared to wild environment were seasonal variation and resource limitation strongly influence body mass condition( Morris, 1998 and Reeve, 1994 ), the berlin zoo provided consistent food access with better treatment, protection which lead to stable but modest gains. These findings demonstrate the value of how controlled environment like the Berlin Zoo could help us understand the physiological and ecological changes that are difficult to come by in real wild life in the forest. They also reinforce broader ecological insights that body mass in a central determinant of hedgehog survival and reproductive developing (Jones et al., 2005 ). From a conservation perspective, our results shows that protecting hedgehog populations requires intensive care. First, a stable and nutritional food supply is essential to maintain healthy body mass gain, particularly in preparation for hibernation. Second, reducing stress from handling and disturbances can hinder their health and increase mortality to hedgehogs as witness at the berlin Zoo. Finally, these husbandry practices need to be observed when it comes to hedgehogs, taking into account their aggressive behavior, seasonal needs and environment challenges. These recommendations should not only apply to captive hedgehogs like the berlin zoo, but rather hedgehogs living in the urban areas and forest, where food availability, human activities and climate change all play a key role in determining the survival and reproductive success. By linking the Berlin Zoo results to the ecological and urban studies(Brown and green, 2020 ; Smith, 2010 ), this project highlights how hedgehogs population can be manage for sustaining wild hedgehogs under increase environmental pressure. Declarations Declaration of the use of AI AI Tool Type of use chatGPT Grammar and tense checking Generating summaries of literature related to hedgehog ecology and body mass Improving my writing style by suggesting alternative phrases and enhance readability In the appendix of my work, I have listed all the purpose of chatGPT. I understand that the used of text and product generated by AI does not guarantee their quality. I am fully responsible for the adoption of any machine generated passages used by me and bear the responsibility for any distorted content, faulty reference and copyright law generated by the AI. I also affirm that my creative influence dominates in the work. References Brown, C., & Green, D. (2020). Effects of stress on small mammals. Journal of Zoology, 302(1), 15–22. Gazzard, A. M. (2022). Supporting evidence-based conservation for hedgehogs in urban areas: The importance of residential gardens and householder actions (Doctoral dissertation, University of Reading). University of Reading Repository. https://research.reading.ac.uk/repository/id/eprint/114442 Jones, A., Smith, B., & Taylor, C. (2005). Body mass and hibernation in mammals. Ecology Letters, 8(2), 45–50. Morris, P. (1988). A study of hedgehog ecology. Journal of Mammalogy, 69(3), 123–130. Reeve, N. (1994). Hedgehogs. Poyser. Smith, B. (2010). Urban hedgehog populations. Wildlife Research, 37(4), 210–215. Taucher, A. L., Gloor, S., Dietrich, A., Geiger, M., & Hegglin, D. (2020). Decline in distribution and abundance: Urban hedgehogs under pressure. Animals, 10(9), 1606. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091606 Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7547191","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":510977463,"identity":"b3daaee0-a525-4590-9a7f-aaf91e208fde","order_by":0,"name":"Daniel Opoku Owusu","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA40lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACxgYgYVO/vx1EG1gQrSWNcQPPAZAWCaKtOsy4QSIBxCBCizn74eYXHyqYmc0ln1/d8KNAgoG/vTsBrxbLnsQ2yxln2NgsZ+eU3ewBOkzizNkNeLUYHEhsM+Zt4+FhuJ2TdoMHqMVAIpeAlvMP24z//pOQYLh5Ju3mH6K03EhsfszYYGBgcIP92G3ibLnxsI2x51hCgmRPDtttGQMJHsJ+OZ/++MOPmv8J/OzHn91888dGjr+9F78WIGCDxgWPAZgkpBwEmD9AaPYHxKgeBaNgFIyCEQgAguBMapznCW8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Daniel","middleName":"Opoku","lastName":"Owusu","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-09-05 21:32:34","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":false,"vertebrateSubjects":false,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false,"humanSubjectConsent":false,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7547191/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7547191/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":90901832,"identity":"f4bf9353-21a4-4eb1-ab27-b3a9c2b54112","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-09 12:27:26","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":202203,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eBar chart of body mass change (g) for 48 surviving hedgehogs (26 females, 24 males) over a 41-day study period at the Berlin Zoo. Black points represent females, and Red points represent males, plotted by Animal ID and weighing in gram with first bar representing initial and end of body mass. Data excludes two deceased individuals (IDs 14 and 41).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7547191/v1/480bf360a6affb469635780d.png"},{"id":90902036,"identity":"7e598310-3605-4275-927a-50b692c0c365","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-09 12:35:30","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":471667,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7547191/v1/77246629-fce2-4768-a9d3-36ea978a708e.pdf"},{"id":90901833,"identity":"4bb18175-1259-4429-be8f-b41756c7557d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-09 12:27:26","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":234831,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"GraphicalAbstarct.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7547191/v1/ce26f1dbd925695330174e25.png"}],"financialInterests":"The authors declare no competing interests.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eBody Mass Dynamic in Hedgehog Population at the Berlin Zoo\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eHedgehops also known as Erinaceous eurapaeus are nocturnal insectivore native to Europe, valued for their role in controlling insect habitats and serving as indicators of ecosystem health (Morris, 1998). Body mass is a critical measure of their health, reflecting foraging success and readiness for hibernation, when energy reserves are essential for survival (Reeve, 1997). Body mass variation can reveal ecological and behavioural patterns, influenced by sex, season and environmental conditions. For instance, males often gain more mass to support reproductive efforts, whereas females may allocate more energy to offspring care (Jones et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e). Due to captive measure and the aggressive nature of these hedgehop, the Berlin Zoo offer a controlled environments to study these dynamics while respecting hedgehops status as protected wild animals. This study conducted at the Berlin Zoo, investigate body mass dynamics in an enclosed hedgehog environment. We addressed the research question: how do body mass changes in a hedgehog population vary by sex and capture frequency for over 41 days. We hypothesized that males would exhibit greater body mass gains than females due to reproductive energy demands, and that higher capture frequency would reduce mass gains due to handling stress. The objective were to quantify body mass change in 50 hedgehogs, compare mass changes between males and females and to assess whether capture frequency influences body mass trends. This study aims to inform captive hedgehog management and contribute to broader conservation strategies (Brown \u0026amp; Green, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Smith, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003ch2\u003eStudy area and Population\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was conducted at the Berlin Zoo, where 50 hedgehops were monitored for over a 41 days in a controlled enclosure designed to mimic their natural habitat. The hedgehogs consisted of 26 females and 24 males. Each hedgehog was assigned to a unique Identity Number (ID 1 to 50). The study complied with ethical guidelines for handling protected species, with all procedures approved by the Zoo welfare committee.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMeasurement and Monitoring\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBody mass was measured in grams at the beginning and end of the study using digital scale accurate to the nearest gram. Monitoring and feeding were carried out at 2 to 3 hour intervals. Hedgehogs were provided with a variety of insects such as mealworms, crickets, waxworm and beetles, each feeding was observed to assess their responses to different prey types. In addition, an agricultural company sponsored the study by supplying hedgehog fertilizer product for testing. Because the research was done in the open space of the Berlin Zoo, some visitors also offered fruits and these supplementary items were considered when evaluating potential changes in feeding habits.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeighing was conducted every five days and veterinary staff performed regular health checks using diagnostic instruments. Hedgehog received medications to maintain their health when necessary during each week of the project.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCapture frequency was determined using live traps placed at each corner of the enclosure cage. Hedgehogs that were caught were marked with a coloured band, and the number of times a hedgehog was recaptured represented its capture frequency. For instance, if a hedgehog was captured three times, its capture frequency will be three. These procedures were performed by trained staff to minimize stress. However, two hedgehog with IDs 14 and 15 died early in the study, likely due to improper handling by untrained personnel. They were included in the initial measurements but excluded from the final analysis due to incomplete data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eData analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBody mass change was calculated as the difference between final and initial mass for surviving hedgehogs. Descriptive statistics were written and documented, but later computed to the system for initial and final body mass and separated by sex. Two sample t-test with unequal variances was used to compare mean body mass change between both sexes. Pearson\u0026rsquo;s correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between capture frequency and mass change. Analysis were conducted in RStudio (version 4.2.1.). The two hedgehog that died during the project were excluded from change analysis but retained in overall results. Hedgehog body mass changes by sex were visualized in a Bar chart (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). All handling and monitoring followed the Berlin Zoo regulations to ensure minimal disturbance.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe study included 50 hedgehogs, 26 females and 24 males monitored for over 41 days at the Berlin Zoo. Two male hedgehogs with IDs 14 and 41 died early in the study, at 2 and 7 days respectively, due to mishandling by untrained staff. They were included in the initial measurements but excluded from the body mass change analysis. Results summarize body mass changes and capture frequency for the 48 surviving hedgehogs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBody mass changes\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInitial body mass ranged from 192 gram to 964 gram. Female body mass ranged from 220 gram to 974 gram, while male body ranged from 159 gram to 953 gram. The final body mass increased from 690 gram to 1340 grams, with females ranging from 127 gram to 984 gram and males from 167 gram to 1018 gram. On average, males gain 65 gram while females gained 10 gram. A two sample t-test was done to indicate that this difference in body mass change between females and males was statistically significant. These findings support the hypothesis that males gain more body mass than females, likely reflect reproductive energy strategies.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBody mass changes were gradual across the month, with the highest gain between 15 and 25 days. Regular weighing was done every 5 days to confirmed consistent growth patterns for most of the hedgehogs. Veterinary checks indicated that the majority of hedgehogs remained health, with no additional deaths or major medical interventions required during the study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding pattern\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHedgehogs were displayed with variety of different insect prey, but responses to beetles and crickets were consumed most readily. The commercial hedgehog diet provided by the sponsoring agricultural company was accepted by most hedgehogs, while visitor provided fruits were eaten irregular. Although these food source contributed to the dietary variety, they did not appear to strongly influence overall body mass change.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCapture frequency\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCapture frequency ranged from 0 to 4. Females had a higher mean capture frequency 3.0 than males 2.2. Pearson\u0026rsquo;s correlation showed shows slightly significant relationship between capture frequency and mass change, indicating that handling did not reduce body mass gains. This outcome does not support the hypothesis that frequent capture negative affects growth. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eOur study at the Berlin Zoo provides insights into body mass dynamic in a captive hedgehog population. We observed that male gain more body mass which is consistent with Jones, Smith and Taylor(2005), who showed that males often accumulate more body mass to support reproductive behaviors and survive hibernation more effectively. The relatively small gains in females suggest different energetic priorities, as females allocate more resources to reproductive care and maintenance. The role of stress was also considered. Although capture frequency did not significantly reflect in the body mass gain in our study, Brown and Green(2020) highlighted that stressors in small mammals can alter energy allocation and suppress growth. Our enclosure berlin zoo controlled environment may have minimized stress compared to wild conditions, explaining why capture did not show negative effects. Nevertheless, the early deaths due to mishandling demonstrate how stress can have lethal consequences.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLong term ecological studies such as Morris(1988) demonstrate how hedgehog body mass varies seasonally and across habitats, underlining the importance of resource availability and environmental stability. Similarly, Reeve(1994) emphasized the strong link between pre-hibernation body condition and overwinter survival. These works provide context to our findings. The berlin zoo offered consistent food supply, leading to stable but modest mass gains compared to wild populations where seasonal variation drives stronger fluctuations.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUrban ecology further shapes hedgehog body mass. Smith(2010) showed that urban hedgehog populations often have greater fat reserves due to anthropogenic food, but also face risks such as road mortality, disease and bush fire by human activities. In our project, body mass gains may mirror this dynamic benefiting from human provided diets but within the safety enclosed environment without road pressures and bush fire activities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecent studies reinforce these connections. Taucher et al.(2020) documented the decline in urban hedgehog abundance due to stress, predation and parasitism, while Gizzard(2022) highlighted the importance of garden habitats and human actions in shaping hedgehog survival. The Berlin Zoo mimic the urban settings in providing artificial but stable food supplies, making these findings directly relevant.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn sum, our study contributes to understanding how controlled environment can support hedgehog health and management practices that may be adapted to conserve hedgehogs\u0026rsquo; population under increasing environmental pressures.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eOur study showed that, male hedgehogs in the Berlin Zoo gained more body mass than females, which shows that males build more body mass to survive hibernation and to be competitive in reproduction, while females saved energy for reproduction. Handling and capture frequency were not found to be negatively affecting their mass gain. The early mortality of the two hedgehog that died during the early stage of the project highlights the importance of careful, and standardized procedures in a captive environment without endangering them. As compared to wild environment were seasonal variation and resource limitation strongly influence body mass condition( Morris, 1998 and Reeve, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1994\u003c/span\u003e), the berlin zoo provided consistent food access with better treatment, protection which lead to stable but modest gains.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese findings demonstrate the value of how controlled environment like the Berlin Zoo could help us understand the physiological and ecological changes that are difficult to come by in real wild life in the forest. They also reinforce broader ecological insights that body mass in a central determinant of hedgehog survival and reproductive developing (Jones et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e). From a conservation perspective, our results shows that protecting hedgehog populations requires intensive care. First, a stable and nutritional food supply is essential to maintain healthy body mass gain, particularly in preparation for hibernation. Second, reducing stress from handling and disturbances can hinder their health and increase mortality to hedgehogs as witness at the berlin Zoo. Finally, these husbandry practices need to be observed when it comes to hedgehogs, taking into account their aggressive behavior, seasonal needs and environment challenges. These recommendations should not only apply to captive hedgehogs like the berlin zoo, but rather hedgehogs living in the urban areas and forest, where food availability, human activities and climate change all play a key role in determining the survival and reproductive success. By linking the Berlin Zoo results to the ecological and urban studies(Brown and green, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Smith, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e), this project highlights how hedgehogs population can be manage for sustaining wild hedgehogs under increase environmental pressure.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eDeclaration of the use of AI\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 313px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAI Tool\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 313px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eType of use\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 313px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003echatGPT\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 313px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGrammar and tense checking\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 313px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 313px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGenerating summaries of literature related to hedgehog ecology and body mass\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 313px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 313px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eImproving my writing style by suggesting alternative phrases and enhance readability\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the appendix of my work, I have listed all the purpose of chatGPT. I understand that the used of text and product generated by AI does not guarantee their quality. I am fully responsible for the adoption of any machine generated passages used by me and bear the responsibility for any distorted content, faulty reference and copyright law generated by the AI. I also affirm that my creative influence dominates in the work.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBrown, C., \u0026amp; Green, D. (2020). Effects of stress on small mammals. Journal of Zoology, 302(1), 15\u0026ndash;22.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eGazzard, A. M. (2022). Supporting evidence-based conservation for hedgehogs in urban areas: The importance of residential gardens and householder actions (Doctoral dissertation, University of Reading). University of Reading Repository. https://research.reading.ac.uk/repository/id/eprint/114442\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eJones, A., Smith, B., \u0026amp; Taylor, C. (2005). Body mass and hibernation in mammals. Ecology Letters, 8(2), 45\u0026ndash;50.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eMorris, P. (1988). A study of hedgehog ecology. Journal of Mammalogy, 69(3), 123\u0026ndash;130.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eReeve, N. (1994). Hedgehogs. Poyser.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSmith, B. (2010). Urban hedgehog populations. Wildlife Research, 37(4), 210\u0026ndash;215.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTaucher, A. L., Gloor, S., Dietrich, A., Geiger, M., \u0026amp; Hegglin, D. (2020). Decline in distribution and abundance: Urban hedgehogs under pressure. Animals, 10(9), 1606. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091606\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Hedgehog, body mass dynamic","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7547191/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7547191/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe study examined body mass changes in 50 hedgehogs also known as Erinaceus eurapaeus over a 41 days at the Berlin Zoo. We monitored them using camera surveillance, frequent cage visits for direct observation, and standard weighing techniques for both sexes and capture frequency recorded to assess variation in mass change. Mean body mass increased by 32 gram overall, with males gaining an average of 65 gram and females 10 gram, the difference between sexes was statistically significant. Capture frequency showed no correlation with mass changes. Two hedgehops died early in the study, highlighting potential health vulnerabilities associated with handling. These findings suggest that males may prioritize weight gain as part of reproductive and overwintering strategies, while female on the other hand invest energy differently for offspring upbringing. Capture effects appear minimal in a controlled conditions. By providing consistent food availability and health monitoring, the Berlin Zoo enable stable growth patterns that correspond to the wild population. This controlled Zoo study provides insights into hedgehog ecology and supports conservation efforts, including the optimization of feeding programs for captive and urban population.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Body Mass Dynamic in Hedgehog Population at the Berlin Zoo","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-09-09 12:27:21","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7547191/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"c2a90e13-846f-4617-9e2b-1bb10ebf3ef8","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 9th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":54437622,"name":"Animal Science"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-09-09T12:27:21+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-09-09 12:27:21","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7547191","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7547191","identity":"rs-7547191","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}