Hedgehogs will generally try to run away from people or if shocked will curl up in to a spiky ball. 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.
Hedgehogs have quills, which may poke you. This is exactly like pricking your finger with a needle when you are sewing on a button, or whatever. You do not have to do anything. Wash the poked area with soap and water and then move on.
Their quills become more spread out, ready to do harm if required. Since the quills are more spread, they will become sharper to the touch. Though the quills should not break through your skin, they could be more painful to touch. Some owners describe the feeling as touching a bunch of toothpicks.
Do hedgehogs attack? It's very rare for hedgehogs to attack, but it can happen. If you look on YouTube, you can find some hedgehog videos where they are aggressive towards people. They tend to try to protect themselves rather than try to go after people, though.
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. When they feel anxious or threatened, these spikes stand up in all directions, making the animals difficult to handle.
Don't kiss or snuggle hedgehogs, because this can spread Salmonella germs to your face and mouth. Don't allow hedgehogs to roam freely in areas where food is prepared or stored, such as kitchens or dining tables. Clean and wash enclosures, toys, and supplies outside of your house when possible.
But there are certain situations where your hedgie might feel the need to chomp down on your hand. While this isn't very painful, it's your responsibility as an owner to understand why. If your pet hedgehog decides to bite it often means they're trying to tell you there's something going on that they don't like.
Although hedgehogs do bite, their tiny teeth are unlikely to cause you very much pain. The force of a hedgehog bite is typically linked to what your pet is feeling. An angry hedgehog could cause a bite that hurts a bit.
A relaxed hedgehog will lay down their spines. Once the spines are laying flat (not poking up in various directions like they are when your hedgehog is rolled into a ball) you can try petting them in the direction the spines lay. Avoid trying to pet your hedgehog's face initially as they don't typically like it.
Hedgehog Quills and Hedgehog Fur
These quills are sharp (though, unlike a porcupine's quills, they are not barbed) and are controlled by a series of muscles, so when a hedgehog feels threatened the quills are raised to stand on end. When the muscles are relaxed, the quills lay flat.
Slowly scoop your hedgehog up from both sides using flat palms. If you use loose bedding feel free to scoop a generous amount of bedding along with your hedgehog to provide some cushioning to your hands. You can also use a small piece of fleece or thick fabric to gently pick your hedgehog up with.
Although it's rare, some hedgehogs bite and/or scratch which can transmit germs. Other ways that humans can be infected is through touching urine, feces, saliva, blood, or other fluids your hedgehog secretes, either directly or indirectly.
Hedgehog spikes are not barbed or poisonous. The inside of their quills are mostly hollow, each containing air chambers making them light but strong. Hedgehogs got their name from their love of garden hedges and the grunting noises they make!
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?
Perhaps the biggest myth of all is that a hedgehog can shoot its quills! Can you shoot the hair out of your head? Just like your hair, a hedgehog's quills can fall out or break off, but the hedgehog cannot shoot its quills to defend itself. In Europe, people consider hedgehogs to be friends of backyards and gardens.
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.
Your hedgehog could bite or nip if you are doing something that is making it uncomfortable such as being too close to its face or are trying to restrain it. Some hedgehogs may bite to express their irritation with you because you woke them up too early or tried trimming their nails.
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.
Handling Tips
If you find an injured hedgehog, wearing thick gardening gloves, pick it up by holding it in both hands round the middle, scooping it up. Put it into a cardboard box lined with newspaper and give a small towel or tea towel for it to hide under.
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.
Sometimes a belly rub feels really good, and this hedgehog is here to show us just how good. Yep, it's impossible to ignore his blissful little face as he gets a mini massage!