It’s not unusual to hear new hedgehog owners complain that their hedgehog doesn’t like them. It’s important to remember that hedgehogs have not been domesticated for very long (just over a decade) as compared to most other critters in the
pet trade, so a lot of “wild” behavior and fearfulness of new things in many individuals is not surprising. Even the friendliest of hedgies raise their quills, and if you own a hedgehog you WILL get poked.
To really enjoy hedgies, we have to sometimes make adjustments in our expectations. We can’t expect that hedgies will be naturally calm and seek out our company immediately. I have a few who do that, but they are definitely in the minority. Some naturally friendly hedgie babies become total cranks when they go through quilling- which can take about 1 to 4 months to get over with. Some hedgies are just naturally cautious.
Even the shy hedgies have their strong points. It isn’t that they don’t like you, it’s that you scare them! It takes time to earn their trust, and to learn how they want to be interacted with. One hedgie that I had- a big guy named Dante who came from a breeder that I know worked with him a lot- came to me at age 1-1/2, so very shy that he almost never showed his face. The breeder repeatedly asked me, “Are you SURE you want him?” I had fallen in love with his description and meeting him (all his quills- I didn’t get to see his face at first) didn’t deter me. It took about another year for us to really click. I figured he wanted space, so I let him free range on the hedgie room floor. I’d check to find him daily and talked calmly to him, making sure not to force myself on him. I didn’t expect a whole lot, but eventually he started coming out on his own when I was in the room. Then he got to where he would come out and climb on peoples’ feet if they were in the room and would come climb in my lap when I would sit on the floor.
I’ve had other hedgies who, like Dante, did not like to be picked up. To help them get used to me, I started slowly by talking to them and just putting my hand in the cage. They slowly learn to tolerate my presence, and eventually come over to check my hand. Next I work toward getting them to let me touch their nose, and many get to where I can scratch under their chins. They still roll into a ball if I try to pick them up, but I enjoy them because I know they trust and appreciate me. I think they do like me- they just don’t like being picked up.
Each hedgie is unique and different, and for those hedgies who don’t easily meet our expectations, the challenge is up to us to try to find the ways to interact that are enjoyable for both us and hedgie.
Page was initially posted 1/19/02. Copyright 2002.
Antigone Means-Burleson
Iola, KS
hhvalley@yahoo.com
Source
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In loving memory of Forest and Fizz
In loving memory of scooter, spicy and peewee
In loving memory of precious
