Contrasting urban ecology of two hedgehog species in Central European contact zone

Understanding how closely related species coexist in shared environments provides key insights into their ecological differentiation and adaptive potential. In Central Europe, the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus, EE) and the Northern white-breasted hedgehog (E. roumanicus, ER) meet in an extensive contact zone that includes large urban areas. Using a seven-year dataset from the Prague Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, we compared the two species in terms of spatial distribution, seasonal activity, and rehabilitation outcomes to assess their ecological patterns in an urban environment.

The species exhibited distinct spatiotemporal patterns. While the EE was mainly confined to the southwestern part of the city, the ER dominated in the east, suggesting a dispersal barrier associated with the Vltava River. The EE showed a later and narrower reproductive period, consistent with one annual litter, whereas the ER showed earlier juvenile admissions and a pattern consistent with two litters per year. The EE further showed increased late-season admissions and lower release rates, while the ER had higher rehabilitation success.

These differences suggest an ecological asymmetry between the EE and the ER within the Prague contact zone, with the ER showing signs of greater tolerance of urban conditions and the EE appearing more constrained under local urban conditions. Our findings demonstrate that wildlife rehabilitation center data can serve as an important source of comparative ecological information and help reveal how closely related species respond to human-dominated environments when interpreted with caution.