by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Activity Levels, Behavior & Personality, Handling
Nocturnal, Crepuscular, and Diurnal Defined Animal activity is defined as nocturnal (nighttime), crepuscular (twilight—early morning and late evening), or diurnal (daytime). Hedgehogs are typically described as nocturnal or crepuscular. Most pet hedgehogs sleep during...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jun 6, 2013 | Activity Levels, Behavior & Personality
Nocturnal vs. Crepuscular vs. Diurnal Animals can generally be described as nocturnal, crepuscular, or diurnal, based on the time of day they are awake. These terms can basically be defined as follows: Nocturnal—Animals that are awake primarily at night...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality
In the Wild Hedgehogs are normally solitary in the wild, socializing for breeding purposes. Males do not help raise the babies, and babies leave the mother shortly after the weaning process. Hedgehogs search and scavenge for their own food, and do not depend on other...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling
First Line of Defense When a hedgehog senses danger, or is uncertain about something in its environment, its first line of defense is to ball up. The orbicularis muscle, which runs around the edge of its body, makes this classic hedgehog trait possible. To ball up, a...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jun 7, 2013 | Bedding, Behavior & Personality
Why Might Hedgehogs Eat Their Bedding? What Is This?—Hedgehogs are inquisitive by nature and often attempt to learn about their environment by tasting and smelling. Baby and young hedgehogs are very prone to eating new brands or types of bedding. Hedgehogs that eat a...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 25, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Steps To Handling
Behavior Changes It is common for a hedgehog to exhibit changes in its behavior between the time it is purchased and the time the hedgehog is settled into its new home. These changes can occur for many reasons. By understanding these reasons, you can help your...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jun 28, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Communication
Body language and facial expression are common forms of communication in both humans and animals. You can tell many things about hedgehogs just by paying attention to their body and spine language. VIDEO.: Body Language with Spines and Forehead Furrow Spines The most...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling
Natural Instinct Hedgehogs sleep during the day in any dark places that they can find. In the wild, they may hide from other animals in vacated burrows, under rocks, or in thick vegetation. They typically dig their own shallow burrows under some form of cover. They...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality
Normal Behavior Hedgehogs are quite active in the wild and frequently run in circles. Therefore, running laps inside the cage can be a great form of exercise. Hedgehogs can run in circles or even in a figure-eight form. Breeders report seeing athletic hedgehog moms...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 21, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Biting, Biting Behavior, Handling
The Need To Chew Hedgehogs are not rodents, so their teeth do not continue to grow throughout their life. They do not need to wear down their teeth by chewing or gnawing. Hedgehogs are not destructive and do not destroy their surroundings like rodents. Even though...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Care, Hedgehogs As Pets
Naturally Clean Some hedgehogs are naturally clean and tidy. They use their litter pans faithfully and leave their cages pretty much as their owners arrange them. Other hedgehogs are slobs! They will try to defy every attempt at cleanliness and make complete messes of...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality
Climbing Hedgehogs will attempt to climb and are often quite adept at climbing. However, once they are up, they cannot easily climb down. Their body mass is not proportioned for climbing. For example, squirrels, monkeys, and other animals that climb tend to have long,...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling, Steps To Handling
Introduction Hedgehogs are often described as “cute and cuddly” and “cactus mammals”. They are certainly not soft and fluffy like a puppy, kitty, or your favorite teddy bear. Many wonder: Can they snuggle into the crook of your arm and fall asleep? Absolutely! Can...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling
Aggression Hedgehogs are not naturally offensive or aggressive to either perceived or real dangers. Instead, they are instinctively defensive, because their primary concern in life is survival! Hedgehogs are shy and can easily feel threatened when confronted with...
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by Millermeade Farms | Sep 5, 2013 | Behavior & Personality
Instinctual Habit In the wild, hedgehogs dig dens in the ground, both for protection from predators and as shelter from the elements. Hedgehogs have powerful forefeet and claws designed specifically for digging. While digging habits vary between species, the...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Care
VIDEO.: Tip to avoid being pooped on 😉 Baby Hedgehogs Young hedgehogs are especially prone to releasing their bowels on their handlers. When you first get your hedgehog, expect to get pooped on! Hedgehog babies typically get better as they get older. Wake-Up Ritual...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling
In the wild, hedgehogs are always exploring their surroundings for food and shelter. Pet hedgehogs are shy and tend to take some time to uncurl and explore their surroundings. Sudden movements and noises tend to startle them and make them curl into a ball. When your...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Physical Characteristics
Physical Gender Differences A male hedgehog is called a boar. His penis retracts within a penile sheath located in the middle of his abdomen. The external portion of the sheath most closely resembles a belly button. His testicles are located in the abdomen and are...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Bonding, Handling
Are hedgehogs truly grouchy, or are they simply misunderstood? Understanding Hedgehog Behavior “I’d rather be alone.” One of the biggest misconceptions about the hedgehog is that this naturally shy animal is “grumpy” or “grouchy.” The reality is that hedgehogs simply...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 21, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Biting, Biting Behavior, Handling
Overview Don’t be discouraged and don’t attempt to punish your hedgehog. The most important thing to do is to NOT give up or to quit handling your hedgehog. This is often easier said than done, but there are some things you can do to make handling easier. First and...
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