Urban hedgehogs face increasing challenges as cities expand, and one often-overlooked factor is the impact of outdoor seating on their hibernation patterns. Unlike their rural counterparts, urban hedgehogs must navigate fragmented habitats, artificial lighting, and human infrastructure—including benches, café tables, and park furniture.

Research suggests that outdoor seating alters microclimates, creating warmer spots that may trick hedgehogs into delaying hibernation or emerging prematurely. These disruptions can lead to energy depletion, reduced survival rates, and mismatched breeding cycles. Additionally, seating areas often concentrate food waste, attracting hedgehogs to risky zones with higher predator exposure or vehicle traffic.

To mitigate these effects, urban planners can adopt wildlife-friendly designs, such as elevated seating with accessible underpasses or seasonal adjustments to public furniture. Citizen initiatives like "hedgehog highways" (small garden gaps) also help maintain connectivity in fragmented urban landscapes. By understanding these interactions, we can better balance urban development with the needs of local wildlife.