Talking to your hedgehog while holding, snuggling, bathing, and other enjoyable activities will help your hedgehog associate the sound of your voice with comfort and enjoyment. Over the years we have found the radio and music very soothing for a variety of different animals.
When the muscles are relaxed, the quills lay flat. In addition to making their quills stand up, the hedgehog will roll into a ball when they feel threatened to protect their soft undersides. This way all that is exposed is a hedgehog ball covered in quills (which makes an effective defense system).
Having worked out which end is which, hold the hedgehog the right way up over a table with the head downwards. Now very gently rock it to and fro. Eventually, the hedgehog should start to stick its nose out - let it smell the food you have ready. Keep rocking it and talk softly to it.
Huffing, Puffing, and Popping
It is quite natural for the hedgehog to be scared or nervous and the huffing and puffing noises are an attempt to scare you away. Keep in mind your hedgehog may have just been woke up during what may be for it the middle of the night.
Long-term elevated stress levels, as in humans, can have serious physiological consequences for hedgehogs. The higher level of stress shows that being handled and placed in captivity can cause long-term stress in the animals. This highlights the importance of periods of captivity being as short as possible.
Every hedgehog has a unique personality, but most aren't interested in human affection. Caretakers note that it takes a lot of time and effort to get a hedgehog to tolerate being held. Like porcupines, hedgehogs have sharp, prickly quills that they use to fend off predators.
Petting a happy hedgehog is a bit like affectionately stroking a bristly hairbrush. Attempting to pet an upset hedgehog is more like trying to soothe a wriggly cactus of doom. That's the answer to the most common question I get when people learn I'm caretaker to a hedgehog: What do they feel like?
A hedgehog's go-to vocal is huffing and puffing, but he's not trying to blow the house down. This sniffing is a normal vocalization he makes while going about his business of exploring. An unhappy hedgehog, on the other hand, will show his disdain with a hiss or a clicking sound.
Like many pocket pets, hedgehogs love to explore mazes and tunnels. This will keep Hedgie active, and offer him mental stimulation. You can buy labyrinths, or make your own out of shoeboxes or PVC pipe. To make your pet's explorations even more fun for him, hide a snack at the end of the tunnel.
You can put soft hay or dried grass in as bedding, but do also try and leave some fallen leaves around for the hedgehog, not only add to options for bedding but are good places for hedgehogs to find insects and beetles which make up the bulk of their diet.
In some cases, certain species, such as hedgehogs, have unique anxiety-related behaviors that no other species exhibits.
Keep your distance from a hissing hedgehog, just like you would from a hissing snake. When a hedgehog hisses, it means he is really annoyed and wants you, other hogs or other animals to clear off. Hedgehogs will often make the hissing noise if their nest is disturbed or if they are cornered or approached by a predator.
Blow a puff of air at your hedgehog after a bite.
This is a gentle way to discourage your hedgehog from its behavior. This will not harm the hedgehog and will teach it that biting is not something it should be doing. Try distracting your hedgehog if it is nipping you.
They have sharp needles all over their backs which can penetrate the skin. It will often itch if a needle does and may cause a rash.
their ears, chin, along the edge of their quill line or skirt, belly fur or feet.
Four-toed hedgehogs (African Pygmy hedgehogs) may legally be kept as pets. Australia: All hedgehogs are classified as exotic pets that are illegal to import.
As stated above, bonding does take effort and persistence, and may require a great deal of time. Some hedgehogs will bond rather quickly, but other hedgehogs may take up to a YEAR to fully bond. Over time your hedgehog will become accustomed to your smell, feel, and will appreciate the warmth of your body.
Hedgehogs are usually shy when introduced to something new. They are often born like scared cats and need to learn that they are safe. So, it is quite natural for a hedgehog to be scared or nervous; its huffing and puffing noises are an attempt to scare you away.
Documents show that some hedgehogs DO respond to their owners voice. They can respond to their caretakers emotions by offering their cute characteristics and responses as support. Often able to sense ill feelings and appear sympathetic, they also sometimes mimic their owners emotions.