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 | 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 | May 24, 2013 | Handling, Steps To Handling
Last Updated on September 23, 2022. Introduction Hedgehogs are wonderful little creatures that have unique habits and personalities. Their response to you will depend on how you handle them and how you respond to their needs. You will need to learn to respond to...
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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 | May 24, 2013 | Handling
Last Updated on September 23, 2022. Introduction Bonding with your hedgehog helps to create an attachment between you and your pet. The more the attachment develops between you and your hedgehog, the more you will grow to love and enjoy your pet. Some hedgehogs will...
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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 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, 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 | 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, 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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by Millermeade Farms | May 21, 2013 | Care, Handling
Last Updated on October 19, 2022. Hide and Seek Video.: Escape Masters Hedgehogs love to play hide and seek. They will hide for hours or even days and probably don’t even care if you haven’t noticed they are hiding. Only allow your hedgehogs to play in “hedgehog...
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by Millermeade Farms | Oct 11, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Biting, Biting Behavior, Handling
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. Keep in mind that hedgehogs are natural hunters. Their instinct is to hold on until what they have bitten is still. Do not attempt to shake off your hedgehog (or other small critters). Regardless of your behavior modification...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 27, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. Understanding Huffing, Puffing, Clicking and Popping When you first pick up your hedgehog, it may have its spines erect, and it may make some defensive noises. Huffing and puffing is a way for a hedgehog to say, “I’m big and bad.” It...
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by Millermeade Farms | Jun 24, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Biting, Biting Behavior, Handling
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. Introduction Most hedgehogs do not bite. But, any animal with teeth has the potential to bite, so hedgehog owners must understand the possibility of getting bitten is always present. Hedgehogs aren’t like dogs, whose bites are usually...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 25, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Handling, Steps To Handling
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. Perceived Signs Your Hedgehog Hates You Snuffles and raises its quills when picked up Is grumpy Runs and hides when lights turn on Runs away when owner tries to hold it Hates to be touched Is startled at every little sound or movement...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 21, 2013 | Behavior & Personality, Biting, Biting Behavior, Handling
Last Updated on August 25, 2022. Hedgehogs Biting Each Other If you have more than one hedgehog and when they are together you notice them biting each other’s quills, this may be a precursor to anointing or a fight. Often, hedgehogs will chew on each other’s quills...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 24, 2013 | Handling, Steps To Handling
Last Updated on September 23, 2022. Petting Basics Even though hedgehogs are “pets” they may not automatically enjoy being petted. You must first earn your hedgehog’s trust so that it can relax and enjoy your touch, rather than fear your touch as potential harm. It...
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by Millermeade Farms | May 25, 2013 | Handling, Steps To Handling
Last Updated on September 23, 2022. Hand Washing It is always a good idea to practice proper hand washing techniques before and after handling your hedgehog. Proper hand washing can help to protect your hedgehog from potentially dangerous bacteria or other substances...
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