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[HEDGEHOG HELP THREAD] all about hedgehog

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hope that you enjoy the information found on this thread.
All material on this site is for personal use only.

Copyright 2007-2009 Millermeade Farm's Critter Connection. All Rights Reserved.

Physical Characteristics

Size
The average hedgehog weighs approximately ½ to 1-¼ pounds and most are the size of a softball or slightly larger when they are rolled into a ball.
Some adult hedgehogs have a slightly larger build and can weigh up to 2 pounds (the size of a small guinea pig) without being fat.
Most hedgehogs are 6-8 inches in length, but it is hard to accurately and consistently measure a hedgehog because their body changes shape when it is balled up, relaxed, sitting or moving.

Spines
The most unique and obvious physical characteristic of hedgehogs is their spines.
The weight of the spines accounts for approximately 35% of the hedgehog’s weight. (Miller)
Technically speaking, hedgehogs have spines and not quills, but their unique hair is often referred to as quills.
The hedgehog’s spines have solid shafts, whereas quills are hollow like a feather. Also, the hedgehog does NOT release its spines as a form of defense, as a porcupine does its quills.
Another contrast between a porcupine’s quills is a hedgehog’s spines do NOT have barbs on the end that can stick in your skin like a porcupine’s quills.
Hedgehogs do use their spines as their main line of defense by erecting them so they criss-cross and point in different directions protecting the skin and body.
Hedgehogs have an orbicularis muscle that it contracts like a drawstring when it rolls up into a ball.
The hedgehog hides its head and legs by creating a ball and using its spines as protection.
Hedgehogs can puff of pop, and if you are poked by an individual spine it can be painful.
Proper handling techniques allow the hedgehog to become relaxed and handled comfortably.
Its spines will lay flat toward the tail when relaxed, and the spines will feel relatively smooth when petted from front to back.

Forehead Furrow
There is a natural part in the spines on the forehead of the hedgehog.
A hedgehog can raise its forehead spines when it is nervous or mildly irritated. The furrow provides space for the raised spines so they point forward instead of criss-crossing when the skin is pulled down over the eyes.

Teeth
Hedgehogs have 36-44 teeth in a long, pointy snout.
The first pair of incisors is slightly larger than the rest, but they are certainly not as dramatically different in size from their other teeth as a rodent’s front teeth.
Hedgehog incisors do not continuously grow, as do rodent incisors, and so they do not have an innate need to chew or gnaw on things to wear down their teeth.
The baby teeth are shed early and replaced by rooted adult teeth.
Poor diet can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Feet
Hedgehogs have 4 toes on the rear feet and 5 toes on the front feet in the Atelerix species.
The nails on the front feet may need trimmed more frequently than the rear feet to prevent them from curling into the foot and damaging the footpad.
Hedgehogs’ feet and toes are made for walking and running.
They do not have opposable thumbs or fingers for grasping or vertical climbing.

Tails
Both sexes have short, stubby tails that are usually hidden under their quills.
The tail can be confused with a penis because the tail curves toward the head when the hedgehog is placed on its back. The male’s penile sheath and hidden penis are located mid-abdominally.

Fur
Hedgehogs have soft, white fur on their face and bellies.
They typically keep their fur clean and neat and a healthy hedgehog should have no mats or caking of its fur.

Chin Mole
This small bump under the chin is harmless and normal.
It is often referred to as a “cutie mark.”

Colors
The Atelerix species tends to have whitish or light colored faces, whereas the Algerian hedgehog has a darker face. Most hedgehogs pets today are a hybrid of the two species and the very dark Algerian face masks are fairly rare.
Hedgehog spines or quills can range in color from an almost black band to a very pale peach color in the banding.
The spines may be banded or solid white.
Hedgehogs may actually change color variations as they mature and get older. The best age to determine color is approximately one year.
The International Hedgehog Association and the Hedgehog Central Web site acknowledge more than 90 different colors of hedgehogs. These colors include various quill colorations, as well as their snowflake and white varieties.
Quill, skin, face, nose, and leg coloration all come into play when determining the hedgehog’s true color.
Many hedgehog enthusiasts simplify the colors by placing hedgehogs in a few many categories such as standard (black to brown variations), cinnacot (tan or light brown variations), black eyed whites (90% or more white quills), albinos, snowflakes (10-89% white quills), and pintos (any color with patches of white quills).

Odor
Hedgehogs do not have a scent gland like ferrets and, therefore, do not have a particularly strong body odor.
Hedgehog urine does not contain large amounts of ammonia like a rabbit or a guinea pig.
Male hedgehog urine is not stronger than female like male rats, mice, or cats.
Hedgehogs do defecate and their feces do stink. What a hedgehog eats affects the feces odor. Wet foods and certain brands of foods produce more of an odor than other foods.
There are products available (we sell Elimina) that are sprayed on the food or added to the drinking water that help combat odor internally.
Cage cleaning and bedding choices are important parts of keeping hedgehog smell to a minimum.

Human Allergic Reactions
There is always a possibility that someone can be allergic to hedgehogs.
Dander is a common, animal-related allergy for many people. Cat dander is produced when saliva is deposited on the fur during the self-cleaning process. The dander turns into a fine dust. Hedgehogs are typically considered dander free, but they do self anoint, which could be irritating to some people.
Many people allergic to small animals are actually allergic to the bedding. Most bedding is dusty, but hedgehogs can be housed on a variety of beddings that may help to eliminate a dust irritation.
It is always a good idea to visit a hedgehog prior to purchase if you suspect you are allergic to other animals.
It is possible to have red prickle marks on your hands after handling a hedgehog. I, personally, have gotten these prickle marks several times throughout the years, but it certainly isn’t a consistent phenomenon.
One long-time hedgehog owner shared with me her hypothesis that when hedgehogs are extremely scared, they can emit a toxin that causes a reaction. While this certainly would explain my experiences, I have been unable to find further documentation on the subject, and it is not a topic that regularly comes up with my customers.
Another acquaintance told me they had a hedgehog for quite some time when they suddenly developed sensitivity to their pet.
No animal is 100% allergy-free!

Senses
Hedgehogs, like all other animals, use their senses to gather information from their environment.
One must take into consideration how hedgehogs use their senses when handling them and during the socialization and bonding processes.

Sight
Hedgehogs have small, beady eyes and a poor sense of sight. This is probably due in part to their burrowing nature.
Compared to humans, and even dogs and cats, hedgehogs have limited binocular vision.
They have a hard time with depth perception and will often fall from dangerous heights because they simply cannot tell how far they are from the ground.
Other hedgehog senses are much stronger and overcompensate for this weakness.

Hearing
Hedgehogs have large ears and have an excellent sense of hearing.
Unfamiliar sounds or loud noises can cause hedgehogs to react in defense by huffing and ducking their head in defense.
Hedgehogs can become accustomed to a busy household but it may take some time to get used to new surroundings.

Smell
Hedgehogs have an excellent sense of smell that is very useful to them in search of food and detecting danger.
Their nose is warm and moist and a curious hedgehog will have their snout in the air sniffing in order to gather information from its environment. At the slightest threat of danger (usually detected by noise or movement) they will duck their head for protection.

Motion Detection
Hedgehogs are very good at detecting motion around them, even when they are rolled into a ball or cannot see.
Hedgehogs will often perceive movement as danger unless they are completely relaxed with their surroundings.
A sleeping hedgehog (or a hedgehog trying to go to sleep) may display their annoyance of movement around them even if they know the cause of the movement.
For instance, if you are in the dark you can sense movement even if you cannot see what is moving. A good example is a haunted house – you are naturally afraid when something moves close to you, until you can distinguish between the unknown and a friend.
They will raise their quills when they sense movement to protect themselves. They are naturally defensive until they are convinced they are safe.
It is human nature to want to reach out and touch a hedgehog when it is sleeping or curled into a ball in its cage. What we might consider touching, a hedgie considers a poke, and it will almost always raise its quills with a huff and a puff resulting in a prick to the poking finger.
Proper handling can help prevent the automatic fear when being picked up.

Emotion Detection
Hedgehogs, like other animals, are able to sense the fear, nervousness, or confidence of the humans handling them.
Hedgehogs have a tendency to act more nervous if they sense you are nervous and will relax more quickly if you are calm.

Vocalizations
Hedgehogs have a wide range of sounds that they use to communicate.
You must listen carefully and observe the hedgehog’s behavior to clearly understand what your pet is trying to communicate.
Different people can describe each noise that a hedgehog makes in different terms.
Some sounds require little or no attention on your part such as the squeaking or chirping of new babies. Other sounds such as clicking or popping should be a clear sign to you that your hedgehog is in defense mode and you need to change how you are handling your pet.
Chirping/Squeaking- this sound is often the first indication of new babies.
Grunting - may be a sign of contentment.
Purring or Whistling – sign of contentment. You know your hedgehog is truly enjoying your company when you hear this sound.
Singing- strange sounds that are part of the mating ritual.
Huffing, Puffing, Sneezing - a sign of irritation, annoyance, or uncertainty. Hedgehogs might huff and puff, but they will not blow your house down! They are simply trying to tell you to back off and give them some space.
Clicking or Popping - these sounds are the aggressive/defensive sounds that are made when a hedgehog is trying to defend itself.
Sneezing, Wheezing, Snuffling – certainly these sounds can be a sign of illness but some hedgehogs are simply trying to have a hedgehog “conversation” with you or are simply checking things out.

Squealing
You may hear this sound when a fight is about to occur between two hedgehogs.
It is a good idea to keep a close eye on the hedgies because injuries can quickly occur during fights.

Screaming
This sound is something that you never want to hear. It is a sound of pain or extreme fear.
Fighting or accidental injury can be causes for this sound.
Hedgehogs have been known to make this noise in their sleep with no apparent cause as if they are having a hedgie nightmare.

Longevity
Hedgehogs typically live two to three years in the wild. The most common cause of death in the wild is due to predation rather than age.
Hedgehogs can live up to 10 years in captivity, but those hedgehogs are few and far between. A 10-year-old hedgehog would be similar to a 104-year-old grandma.
A 5-year-old hedgehog is about 76 in people years, so if your hedgehog lives 5-7 years it has lived a full life but five years is longer than the national average.
According to the article “Mortality and Longevity, Update! Boys vs. Girls” found in the September to December International Hedgehog Association Newsletter, “There is no statistical difference in life expectancy between male and female hedgehogs. The average Hedgehog Lifespan is 38.5 months as of July 27, 2005.” (Graesser)
Several things to consider when looking at longevity are diet, type of bedding, veterinary care, environmental stressors, and genetics.
The number one cause of hedgehog death is various forms of cancer.
We hope that your hedgehog lives to a ripe old age but, unfortunately, not all pets live as long as others because of the previously mentioned factors. We appreciate feedback from our customers so that we trace bloodlines. It is important for us to know the parents of your hedgehog (from your receipt), as well as the cause of death of your pet if known.

Signs of Good Health
Check its eyes to make sure they are bold, clear, round, and bright. The eyes should be wide open. The eyes should not be watery or sunken, dull, or have any discharge.
The hedgehog’s nose should be moist and clean. It should not be dry, bubbly, or running.
Your hedgehog’s ears should be clean with no drainage, crustiness, or flaking on the outer part of the ear.
Check the skin to make sure there are no abrasions, lumps, bumps, excessive dryness, bare patches, or signs of mites.

The underbelly fur should not be matted.
The hedgehog’s body should be filled out through the back and sides.
Some hedgehogs have a streamlined appearance, but their skin should not be loose and they should be filled out below the ribs.
Other hedgehogs are plumper but they should not be so fat that they cannot easily roll into a ball.
Breathing should be regular with no wheezing or signs of stress. Do not confuse the normal hedgehog huffing for the rattle of a respiratory illness.
Notice the amount of food and water consumption from the previous night and has the hedgehog gained or lost a significant amount of weight.
The hedgehog’s bowl movements should be similar in color to the hedgehog’s food. Green droppings or diarrhea are signs of illness and stress.
Your hedgehog should move freely without limping, wobbling, or dragging its feet. A hedgehog’s normal gait will create a “pitter-patter” sound.
I encourage NOT buying an animal as a “rescue” to remove it from terrible conditions either from a breeder or a pet store. Purchasing the animal may improve that particular animal’s condition, but it will do nothing to prevent future animals from being housed or maintained in similar situations. Instead, kindly and respectfully point out the problem and try to educate the person or store about proper hedgehog care. Some instances of neglect are not from intent but from lack of information. Should the situation not improve it may be necessary to notify the proper authorities. Hedgehog sales are governed by the USDA, which is obligated to investigate all complaints.

Basic Breeding Information
Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets.
Hedgehogs can produce litter sizes ranging from 1-9, with the average litter size being 3-4.
The gestation or the amount of time from conception time until birth is typically 33-35 days.
The average recommended breeding age is six months.
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Behavior Characteristics

Balling-Up
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This unique hedgehog activity is made possible by the orbicularis muscle, which runs along the edges of their body (Smith).
When the hedgehog is frightened it tightens this muscle, that acts like a drawstring, and it enables the hedgehog to hide its head, belly, feet and legs in a prickly coat of erect spines.
When hedgehogs are nervous, a balled up hedgehog also may snuffle, huffle or snort.

Self-Anointing
One of the most curious and unique of all hedgehog behaviors is the practice of self-anointing.
Hedgehogs can self-anoint at a very early age even before their eyes are fully opened.
The first sign that a hedgehog is going to self-anoint is they will show a fascination with a particular odor or taste.
They will lick or chew the object of interest and create foamy saliva that they will then deposit on various parts of its body.
You may see your hedgehog twist and contort in a variety of funny positions as they spread this foamy saliva on their body.
Hedgehogs that anoint frequently or that anoint with a particularly colorful or smelly substance may need a bath.
The reasons hedgehogs self-anoint are still unknown, but it is usually related to a new or pleasant smell.
Some believe anointing is as a form of scent camouflage designed to cover up their own sent with the new scent in the environment.
Others believe the hedgehogs like the scent so well they want it on their body similar to our “perfume.”
Hedgehogs are resistant to many toxins and one theory is that hedgehogs spread toxins on their quills as added protection.

Leather and garlic are likely to evoke self-anointing (www.hedgies.com).
Male hedgehogs are believed to anoint more frequently than females (www.hedgehoghollow.com).
Some references refer to self anointing as “anting” (Smith).

Biting
Any animal with teeth CAN bite. The only pets we are aware of that never bite are millipedes, goldfish, and earth worms (yes, there are people who raise worms for fun!).
Hedgehogs are not typically biters, and their main line of defense is to curl themselves into a ball.
We don’t want to make you fearful of a hedgehog bite but we do want to make you aware that it can happen, what to do, and how to understand your hedgehog’s biting.
Hedgehogs can nip if they don’t recognize your scent or if they are nervous.
They also may use biting as a form of communication since they have limited vocalization skills. Hedgies will use biting as a way to express their needs, frustrations, feelings, or desires.
Biting may start when they are quilling as a means to express their discomfort.
Some hedgehogs can be provoked by waking them up too early or by trimming their nails.
Other hedgehogs only bite certain people or if their owners have been gone for a period of time. This type of biting is hedgie frustration or pouting.

Elimination Habits
Hedgehogs normally have to go to the bathroom within 20 minutes of waking so it is a good idea to have a litter box or paper towel handy at the beginning of playtime.
Young hedgehogs are especially prone to pooping on you, but they typically get better as they get older.
Many hedgehog enthusiasts joke that poop is a hedgie gift. When your hedgehog is not scared of you and gives you a little gift, you can rest assured you have made a friend!

Scent Marking
Hedgehogs do not scent mark like other animals.
They do self-anoint as described earlier.

Climbing and Agility
Hedgehogs will attempt to climb and are often quite adept at climbing up, but their body is not designed for such a task.
Hedgehogs’ paws are designed for walking similar to our feet and not built for climbing or holding on to things like our hands. Therefore, their descent from a climb is not graceful at all and in fact can cause serious injury.
Their body mass is not proportioned for climbing. Squirrels, monkeys, and other things that climb tend to have long and narrow bodies rather than short and round.
Hedgehogs’ limbs do not have the strength to support their round body mass when climbing, and gravity naturally works against them.
Hedgehogs will typically roll into a ball when making a descent from various heights.
The spines absorb much of the shock from the fall, but the hedgehog can still get injured.
We suggest a cage with a secure lock or a cage with slippery sides tall enough to prevent climbing and escape.
Hedgehogs will not jump from your hands like a mouse or other animal but they will walk right off your hands.
Hedgehogs have little depth perception, so they may fall or walk off of ledges that are too high and their spines can actually injure them internally.

Scratching
Hedgehogs often scratch a bit when they first wake. One might compare this scratching to fluffing out a “bed head” hairdo.
Some hedgehogs scratch when nervous or exploring.
Quilling also will cause scratching because it appears to be uncomfortable when the new spines are working their way through the skin.
Dry or dirty skin also might cause scratching. A good bath should help this problem.
Mites are the first thing people typically think of when they see their hedgie scratching, but more signs of mites will most likely be present other than just an occasional itch.

Hibernation and Estivation
Hedgehogs hibernate in the wild when the temperature becomes too cold.
Hedgehogs in captivity also can go into periods of hibernation, which is very dangerous for your pet.
Hedgehogs in the wild may go into a dormant period of activity called estivation when the weather is too hot and dry in the summer. Captive bred hedgehogs should not go through estivation.
In the wild, hedgehogs live from their fat reserves during hibernation and estivation.
Hedgehogs living in captivity should be kept in a controlled environment to prevent hibernation or estivation.
Our Hibernation and Estivation guide goes into more detail about how to notice signs of hibernation and what to do.

Nocturnal
Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal in nature.
Their senses are adapted to work best at night (www.hedgies.com).
Some hedgehogs may exhibit crepuscular activity, meaning they are active in early morning and early evening.
You may think your hedgehog sleeps all the time, but most likely it is active when you are not!
Baby hedgehogs sleep quite a bit, and they have a tendency to sleep more after the stress and unusual activity of going to a new home.
Hedgehogs may be gradually become acclimated to daytime activity through routine handling and feeding earlier in the day.

Burrowing
Hedgehogs sleep during the day in any dark place they can find.
In the wild, they may hide in vacated burrows from other animals, under rocks, or in thick vegetation, but they typically dig a shallow burrow of their own under some form of cover.
They enter and exit their burrows headfirst so the burrows or hiding places must be large enough for the hedgehog to turn around.
In captivity, hedgehogs still enjoy burrowing and if a hedgehog escapes it will hide in any dark quiet place it can find.
Ideally, the hedgehog’s cage is large enough to provide an igloo or other object in which they can hide. This not only provides hedgehogs with environmental enrichment but with a better sense of security as well.

Solitary
Hedgehogs are normally solitary in the wild, only coming together for breeding and some available information will indicate that hedgehogs should be kept solitary as pets.
However, some captive bred female hedgehogs may prefer and even crave companionship and will go to great lengths to be with another hedgehog.
Young hedgehogs often prefer to sleep together and do better after the weaning process if they are kept in small groups rather than housed individually.

Females that are raised together have shown some bonding tendencies, but it is not absolutely necessary to purchase multiples for companionship.
It is best not to house male hedgehogs together because they may start fighting at the onset of sexual maturity.
Hedgehog fights may be quite loud, or their quarreling could go unnoticed until one is injured.
Raising females together can be a positive experience for both hedgies but one must also be prepared to separate them should trouble arise.
 
Hedgehog Socialization

Socialization Defined
All hedgehog pet owners want a well-socialized hedgehog but the term “well socialized” can have different meanings and contexts.
Most hedgehog enthusiasts think of a hedgehog that uncurls, relaxes its spines, and generally appears to enjoy handling as a socialized pet.
How a hedgehog gets to this point and stays socialized can have many variables.

Hedgehog Nature
Hedgehogs are typically naturally shy creatures that tend to fear the unknown.
Their poor eyesight but heightened sense of hearing, motion detection, and emotion detection makes them sensitive to how their environment and how they are handled.
When a hedgehog is nervous or scared it will ball up and use its spines not as a form of aggression but as a form of protection.
You must prove yourself trustworthy before a hedgehog will completely relax with you.
More information on this topic can be found in our Behavior Characteristics guide.
Hedgehogs with health issues may also be less responsive to handling. An uncomfortable or sick animal may rather be left alone. Quilling is an example of a normal process that can be very uncomfortable for a hedgehog and can impact how the hedgehog prefers to be handled.

Owner Responsibility
Proper handling is critical to a well-socialized hedgehog and probably the most important factor in whether or not a hedgehog will make a good pet.
Hedgehog owners need to learn to understand a hedgehog’s subtle ways of communicating and behavior and then respond accordingly.
Owners also need to learn:
When to handle
How to pick up and hold a hedgehog
What can cause a hedgehog to be scared or nervous
Bonding is also an important part of the socialization process and will occur over time
Patience is probably the most important virtue in hedgehog socialization and in a new pet owner.
We provide our customers information and tips on this topic in our Care and Handling guides.

Quality Time versus Quantity Time
My 10 plus years of experience has led me to believe that the more time spent with an animal does not always equal a better response from an animal.
Your actions (quality time) tend to make a larger impact on an animal than the amount of time (quantity time) you spend with that animal.
Certainly the amount of time with an animal is important but what you do with the animal during that time is far more important.
You can handle a hedgehog the wrong way a long time and get no where in the bonding or socialization process.
However, handling your pet the right way and responding to its needs will dramatically speed up the bonding and socialization processes.

Purchasing Socialization
Every hedgehog owner wants a friendly, outgoing and well-socialized pet. As previously discussed, socialization greatly depends on how a hedgehog is handled.
Proper handling of your hedgehog before it goes home with you plays a role in how your hedgehog will socialize and bond with you at your home. A hedgehog that has been poked and prodded at in a pet store is unlikely to be as good of a pet as one that has been properly handled and cared for by a good breeder.
Our Purchasing A Hedgehog guide outlines ways that you can ensure you that you get off to a good start with your new pet.
Important purchasing decisions include:
Where to purchase
What to look for when you buy
Selection of a hedgehogs available
Choosing a hedgehog
Education you will receive at time of purchase
Once you have selected and purchased your new pet it is up to YOU to continue the socialization and bonding processes.
The Handling and Play guide along with the Care and Acclimation guide we provide our customers are designed to ensure your success.
 
Gender Differerences

Physical Gender Differences
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Male hedgehogs are called boars. Their penis is retracted within a penile sheath that is located in the mid-abdominal region of the hedgehog. The external portion of the sheath most closely resembles a belly button. The testicles are located in the abdomen and are generally not seen.

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Female hedgehogs are called sows, and their vulva and anus are very close in proximity to each other. They have five pairs of mammae or teats.
Male and female hedgehogs should be housed separately from the time of weaning and should only be allowed contact for breeding purposes.

Hedgehogs can breed as early as 8 weeks. Breeding at this age can be very dangerous for the female and is highly discouraged by most breeders.
Male hedgehogs can get bedding or other material inside its penile sheath. You will need to check this area daily to make sure there is not blockage or irritation. Most irritations can be freed during a normal bath but if a problem persists then a trip to the veterinarian will be necessary.
There are no odor differences between males and females.
Neither males nor females scent mark.
Females do not have obvious menstrual cycles.

Temperament Gender Differences
I, and a majority of hedgehog owners and/or breeders, do not believe there are major temperament differences between males and females.
Females cohabitate better than males. We have seen signs that some of our female hedgehogs prefer to have a cage mate, but it is not absolutely necessary in most cases.
Males can self-stimulate, but this practice is not typically a complaint of male hedgehog owners.

Cohabitation and Gender Differences
It is common knowledge that hedgehogs are solitary creatures in the wild.
However, we have found through our own experience, research, and customer feedback that some hedgehogs actually do quite well together.
Baby hedgehogs, especially females, cohabite quite well throughout their life.
Female hedgehogs have a tendency to cohabitate better than males because they do not have the testosterone and risk of aggression during their sexual prime.
Males that are raised together and are never exposed to females may also cohabitate nicely.
All cohabitation should be monitored throughout the hedgehog’s life and one should be prepared to separate the hedgehogs if signs of dominance develop.
Adult males, not raised together, and/or exposed to females have the greatest risk for fighting and are not recommended for cohabitation.
We have seen signs that some of our female hedgehogs prefer to have a cage mate, but it is not absolutely necessary in most cases.
Gender Differences and Health Care

Males
Male and female hedgehogs obviously have different reproductive and urinary tract systems and their main health care concerns are related to these differences.
A male’s penis is contained in the penile sheath and is only exposed during urination, breeding, and on occasion self-stimulation.
Hedgehogs are relatively low to the ground therefore their extended penis is even closer to the ground. There is a chance that bedding can stick to the extended penis and be drawn up into the penile sheath. One can be certain that this problem is both irritating to the hedgehog as well as a potential for infection or other damage.
Good bedding choices and daily monitoring of your hedgehog dramatically reduce the incidence of serious problems.
The first sign of irritation is redness and/or swelling. A bath and gentle cleansing of the area may be sufficient treatment.
Veterinary care may be required for more serious irritations.

Females
A female hedgehog’s urinary and reproductive systems and the associated problems appear to be closely related.
Again, a female hedgehog is close to the ground which most likely contributes to the potential of urinary and reproductive tract issues.
One obvious indication of a urinary tract infection is visible blood in the stool. Change in eating, elimination habits, and general decline in health are also potential signs of a problem.
Female hedgehogs are induced ovulators, meaning their reproductive cycle is stimulated by the presence of a male rather than cyclic ovulators like humans.
Some hedgehog owners and breeders believe that having a male and female in the same household without breeding the female increases the risk of uterine cancers.
On the other hand, breeding drastically increases the risks of problems during pregnancy, birth, and post natal care.
Some veterinarians recommend preventative spaying of females. However, there are risks with every invasive procedure and use of anesthesia. Proactive spaying is not yet widespread among owners of female hedgehogs and is not recommended by all veterinarians.
At this point in time no studies have been done showing the advantages and disadvantages of preventative spaying. Since veterinarians tend to only see hedgehogs with problems it is hard to get a good idea of what percentage of female hedgehogs in the pet population actually need spaying.
Most veterinarians and breeders DO recommend spaying at the first sign of urinary or reproductive issues. It is much easier to treat a small problem than try to fix a larger problem later on.

Conclusion
It is our experience that neither males nor females make a better pet.
We suggest finding an experienced veterinarian in your area and consulting with them if you have any concerns regarding owning a female. Having a good relationship with a veterinarian is not only beneficial before buying your pet and for routine care, but will be critical when dealing with a pet that needs emergency care.
On many occasions we have had customers come for one baby hedgehog and after handling several decide that they would like to go home with two.
We typically show them females if a customer does not have a gender preference for this reason.
 

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UP.. post din kayo pic ng hedgies nyo..
 
Nagbebenta ka ba ts?magkano?

hindi pa po ako nagbebenta kasi kasisimula ko lng din mag alaga..
kung mag bebenta man ako mga 800php ko ibibigay isang piraso,
mura na yun kesa sa iba..

nakaka-hinayang kaninang umaga lang nanganak ng tatlo yung hedgehog ko kaso kinain nya yung dalawa buti na kuha ko ung isa bago pa nya makagat.. sumabay sa doomsday ng mayan calendar..

upload ko ung photo pag nabuhay sa hand-feeding yung isang hedgie
 
ako po may for sale n mga hedgehogs..
mga esf pinto line po.
600-1,5k po price.

ts sure b kau n salt n pepper yan?
kc ang alm ko wlang salt n pepper n hedgies dito s pinas.
 
ako po may for sale n mga hedgehogs..
mga esf pinto line po.
600-1,5k po price.

ts sure b kau n salt n pepper yan?
kc ang alm ko wlang salt n pepper n hedgies dito s pinas.


base po dito sa site na to LINK
 
bka po algerian choco or black lng,hehe!!
kc wla dito s pinas nun eh.:)
 
nag match kasi yung mga characteristics ng kulay na sinabi sa site, hnd ko dn sure kung wala pa nga or meron.. galing hedgies ko sa breeder sa las pinas nakipag trade ng ibon samin..
 

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ay meron nang thread hahaha... may cinnacot black eyed po aq hihihi pangalan niya GUSTOv yung isa ko nakatakas huhuhuhu so loner na xa.. beef roaf at tikitiki energy drink po yung pakain at painom ko po sa kanya sayo po? hehehehe like ko pong thread mo po :)
 
nabili ko lang yung hedge ko sa sulit 500-600 lang po ang isa... ;) mag alaga na din kayo hehehe :)
 
ay meron nang thread hahaha... may cinnacot black eyed po aq hihihi pangalan niya GUSTOv yung isa ko nakatakas huhuhuhu so loner na xa.. beef roaf at tikitiki energy drink po yung pakain at painom ko po sa kanya sayo po? hehehehe like ko pong thread mo po :)

sayang naman yung nakatakas.. nun nag start ako mag breed sabi ko 800 ko ibebenta isa pero nun nkapag breed na ako ibinaba ko na sa 500 yung bentahan ko kasi madami naman un anak bawi na agad yung puhunan ko kahit 500 lang ibebenta.. Princess catfood lang po diet nun sakin at un sa vitamins naman po hnd ko pa na try painumin pero healthy naman ung mga hoglets at parents.. taga saan ka po? may available pa ako male algerian grey and algerian brown at female cinnicot BE din tulad sayo..
 
meron pong salt and pepper dito sa pinas. :) ako mayroong albino male dati. squabble name nya, unfortunately nakatakas sya. pinabayaan kase ni mama. so ayun, UP naten tong thread. para sa mga hedgehog lovers here.

meron kaming group sa FB. join kayo kung gusto nyo. :)

http://www.facebook.com/groups/PinoyHedgieLove/

:thumbsup: :praise: :dance: :happy: :wave:
 
sayang naman yung nakatakas.. nun nag start ako mag breed sabi ko 800 ko ibebenta isa pero nun nkapag breed na ako ibinaba ko na sa 500 yung bentahan ko kasi madami naman un anak bawi na agad yung puhunan ko kahit 500 lang ibebenta.. Princess catfood lang po diet nun sakin at un sa vitamins naman po hnd ko pa na try painumin pero healthy naman ung mga hoglets at parents.. taga saan ka po? may available pa ako male algerian grey and algerian brown at female cinnicot BE din tulad sayo..

magandang diet IAMS cat food or Whiskeas. :)
samahan nyo na din ng super/mealworms as treats.

sa vitamins, tiki tiki / nutrilin. :)
 
mga sir, ndi po ba ito matrabaho alagaan interesado po kc ako bumili, sa cage po ba kelangan malaki kulungan?
 
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