by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Activity Levels, Behavior & Personality, Handling
Last Updated on August 23, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jun 6, 2013 | Activity Levels, Behavior & Personality
Last Updated on August 23, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality
Last Updated on August 23, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling
Last Updated on August 21, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jun 7, 2013 | Bedding, Behavior & Personality
Last Updated on August 23, 2022. Why Might Hedgehogs Eat Their Bedding? Curiosity—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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 25, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Steps To Handling
Last Updated on August 24, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jun 28, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Communication
Last Updated on August 23, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling
Last Updated on February 5, 2024. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality
Last Updated on February 28, 2024. 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 pattern....
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by Millermeade Farms | May 21, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Biting, Biting Behavior, Handling
Last Updated on September 9, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Care, Hedgehogs As Pets
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling, Steps To Handling
Last Updated on August 22, 2022. 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?...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | Sep 5, 2013 | Behavior & Personality
Last Updated on February 28, 2024. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Care
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Physical Characteristics
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Bonding, Handling
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. 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...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 21, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Biting, Biting Behavior, Handling
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. 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...
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