Important things to know about hedgehogs…..

1. They do something really, really bizarre that can alarm you if you are not prepared.

Sometimes when they encounter a new scent, hedgehogs will foam at the mouth, contort their bodies, and deposit the foam on their quills. This is called “anointing” and while it looks really, really bizarre, it is perfectly normal hedgehog behavior. Nobody knows exactly why they do this but it may be to mask their scent and help them blend into their surroundings. I have had the pleasure of witnessing this oddly fabulous display many, many times and to me it almost seems like a hedgehog is giving some sort of stamp of approval when it anoints. It does not seem to be a sign of distress to me at all. This is seriously one of my favorite things that hedgehogs do and I never tire of witnessing it. Even baby hedgehogs anoint! Here is a picture of a little hoglet about 12 days old anointing!

2. Hedgehogs are not rodents, so their teeth do not continuously grow and do not require gnawing on things.

In fact, it is important to not let your hedgehog chew on anything that is likely to break their teeth, because they only get the one set of teeth.

3. Baby hedgehogs go through a process called “quilling”.

As baby hogs start to grow, they start getting their “big boy/girl” quills in. This starts at about 6-8 weeks old. They will drop their tiny quills as bigger quills grow in. You can actually see the bigger quills growing in. Hedgehogs tend to be quite grouchy during this process, so do not take it personally if your once sweet baby becomes huffy. Continue spending time with them to keep them tame and so the bonding process is not interrupted. The grouchiness will pass. When it does, their quills will be even more beautiful than before! They go through this process again at about 4 months old and possibly even another time, but it will be to a much lesser degree.

4. Hedgehogs are most definitely ground dwellers.

They do not have a good sense of how to handle heights, so you have to be very careful if you set them on a bed, or other object that is up off the ground. Your hedgehog could fearlessly launch themselves off and be injured in the process.

5. They have a lifespan of about 4-6 years.

With proper care and a healthy environment, sometimes they can live longer. It is best to purchase your hedgehog from a reputable breeder. Good breeders never inbreed and breed for health and personality first and foremost.

6. Patience and persistence is key!

When you first bring your hedgehog home, they will probably go through an adjustment period. This adjustment period can be a far cry from the snuggly, sprawled out, relaxed hedgehog one dreams of. Instead, a hedgehog may start out as a huffing ball. Please do not give up! Use a blanket to pick the up if necessary, but spend as much time as possible with your hedgehog. I breed for temperament, and your hedgehog will come around! Make sure to take them out of their enclosure every day, preferably multiple times a day if possible, particularly at the beginning. This will pay off! My tamest, sweetest hedgehog that never balls up started out as an angry little ball. Look at her now!