Here are a few things to keep in mind with your new baby hedgehog!
QUILLING - Baby hedgehogs “quill” like human babies teethe. They lose a few quills and gain new ones, which is not super comfortable for them. If you look between their quills, you can often see them poking through their skin. Don’t be surprised if your hedgehog is a little grumpy during this time. You would be, too! Do not let this prevent you from handling them, just be gentle when you do so. This can happen off and on a few times as they mature, so don’t be surprised if it happens more than once. This is also why we do not guarantee colors, because sometimes the new quills are different!
ANOINTING - Hedgehogs love to anoint! This means if they smell or taste something new or interesting, they may lick it, begin foaming at the mouth, (it is NOT rabies!!) then do some funky yoga pose and lather it all over their quills. No one really knows WHY they do this, but it is suspected that wild hedgehogs do this with toxic plants to deter predators. Our African Pygmy hedgehogs may do it with your new favorite perfume scent or what-have-you.
NOCTURNAL - Please keep in mind when you handle your hedgehog, that daytime is their sleepy time, so if they’re grumpy, you might try handling them later in the day. This is not mandatory, but just something to keep in mind! You can handle them any time of day or night, but they may be more willing at some times than others.
BECOMING ACQUAINTED - In order to get your hedgehog used to you, hold them close to your chest and speak softly to them. Hold them in your lap while you watch tv. Handle them daily for at least 30 minutes! Another great tip is to sleep in a t-shirt and then put it in their cage so they get used to your scent. Their eyesight is not great, so their noses are how they know what’s going on. Talking to them helps too, before you pick them up, so they know you’re coming. I believe they definitely learn people’s voices.
POOP - They poop a lot, especially as babies. Keep some paper towels and/or wipes handy! Some do less than others. Most of them grow out of it for the most part! (Some don’t.. lol) Be sure to give their wheels a daily wipe down. Cleaning a week of dried up, caked on poo is not a fun time. And they LOVE to poop on the run!
留言