Hedgehogs huff to communicate feeling threatened, annoyed, or uncertain, trying to appear bigger and scarier to potential threats, but they also huff loudly during the "courtship dance" in mating season as males circle females. This noise is a defensive warning to back off or a way to express distress, but it's also a common sound during mating, often described as a steam train, when males follow females.
High-pitched chirping/squeaking normally means happy or curious. It's actually a kind of rare noise!
Persistent distress sounds in hedgehogs may indicate pain, respiratory issues, or stress. Symptoms include continuous vocalizing, lethargy, or refusal to eat. Causes range from infections to environmental stressors.
Roughly between April and May, male hedgehogs begin to seek out females to mate. When they do so, male hedgehogs are known to perform a “courtship dance”, where they circle, snort and huff around the female to get their attention.
This noise means the hog is either terrified or in pain. This recording was actually of a pet pygmy hog, uninjured, perfectly healthy, but who seriously hated visiting the vet. Yes they do it as well. A word of caution with this one though, I had one hog making this noise who was dying and unable to breathe properly.
The huffing is often made in mating season (April to September, with May and June being the most active months). It is part of a hedgehog's courtship behaviour, where they huff and circle each other.
Indeed, hedgehogs produce several different noises, including the "twittering" of hoglets and the "shrill piping [metallic] whistles" (at around 8 kHz) of nestlings. Others include "clucking" or "quacking" when annoyed, various snorts or huffs, spits, and (perhaps) ultrasonic "clicks".
Hedgehogs are known to be very communicative when it comes to their needs, and often make a low purring sound when they are happy or content.
As pets, hedgehogs can recognize and remember their owners' scent and voice, making them a loyal and affectionate companion. They can also quickly learn routines and habits, such as when it's time to eat or play.
Signs of stress
Many hedgehogs are busy and want to try to explore but a stressed hedgehog will be much more persistent and not easily distracted. The stressed hedgehog may also twitch or shake its head nervously. It is almost as if the hedgehog is saying “Sensory overload. I can't take it anymore.”
Check if the hedgehog:
They tend to follow the same routes each night, so these pathways can become more noticeable over time. Sounds: Despite their small size, hedgehogs can be surprisingly noisy. Listen for snuffling, huffing, and puffing sounds at night, particularly in spring after hedgehogs hibernate.
Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Spongy degeneration of the brain and spinal cord is the diagnostic feature of WHS. WHS affected brain and spinal cord show extensive demyelination and remyelination. Axonal degeneration is accompanied by loss of neurons in WHS.
The average hedgehog is content to do its own thing and may not show any outward sign that it cares about its owner's existence unless you have a treat in your hand. Despite their somewhat solitary nature, they can become very affectionate with their owners and will even enjoy snuggling on your lap.
Just like any other pet, hedgehogs love treats. Waxworms are a favorite with these guys. You can also offer Hedgie some cooked chicken, turkey, or egg. Low fat/high protein wet cat or dog food is also fine, as is the occasional pinky mouse.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so the best time to spot them is during the evening or night. They are most active just after sunset and before sunrise.
Hedgehogs often comfort their owners with cuddles, licks, and offer their paws or cuddly bellies for rubs. Their defences completely drop if they are able to form a close connection with their hedgie parents.
Hedgehogs will not usually eat and sleep in the same place so it's best not to offer food inside the home (except perhaps to tempt them in initially). Once there is a resident, move food away from the box so as not to attract predators or rival hedgehogs to the site.
Making Friends With a Hedgehog
The easiest way for you to pet a hedgehog is to let it do the work for you. Once your hedgehog is moving around in your hands it is likely to “root” under your thumbs. Pay close attention for opportunities to rub your hedgehog from its nose to the top of its head.
If your hedgehog is unusually still in the evening—sleeping in short, restless bursts, waking and dozing repeatedly, or staying sluggish when they would normally explore—it can be a sign of unhappiness or even illness.
In male hedgehogs the penile sheath is located about halfway up the tummy and looks like a large belly-button. In females the sex organ is directly adjacent to the anus.
The name hedgehog came into use around the year 1450, derived from the Middle English heyghoge, from heyg, hegge 'hedge', because it frequents hedgerows, and hoge, hogge 'hog', from its piglike snout. Other names that are used are urchin and hedgepig.
Hissing like a 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.
They can make out shapes and outlines, have difficulty with gauging distance, which causes them to easily bump into things. But luckily hedgehog`s can easily find their way even if there are blind. They rely more on their hearing and small senses. They are able only to see a few colours such as green, yellow and blue.