Several white-breasted hedgehogs living in the Old Territory of the Moscow Zoo in the Fauna of Russia pavilion recently curled up and fell asleep for the winter. Thus, the animals opened the hibernation season, the Moscow Zoo reports on its website.
“White-breasted hedgehogs were the first to fall asleep for the winter this year. Marmots, tenrecs, jerboas, and dormouse are next in line. Later, bears, raccoons and the raccoon dog Buba will fall into winter sleep.
Before a long sleep, white-breasted hedgehogs actively ate and gained weight. By the beginning of hibernation, the animals can recover significantly, like other hibernating animals.
“Fat is essential for hedgehogs to survive the winter because by spring they can lose up to 35% of their body weight. In the spring, when the air temperature rises, hedgehogs come out of hibernation and almost immediately they begin the breeding season. It usually happens in April,” the zoo noted.
They said that white-breasted hedgehogs prepared places for the night in advance: they sleep in depressions insulated with grass and dry leaves. Often, the white-breasted hedgehog, like the common hedgehog, winters for several years in the same shelter.
Participants discussed the boundary between nature and ecotourism, whether mass visits to unique areas can remain safe, the responsibilities of investors, and how to prepare tourists for visiting specially protected natural areas.
The head of state expressed confidence that the Forum will be held at a high level, and that its results will contribute to the development of tourism in Russia and the expansion of humanitarian and business ties.
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