Hedgehogs

Basic Description
Hedgehogs are one of nature's most unique animals. There are several species but the one kept as a pet is the African Pygmy Hedgehog. Thoxe are the ones that will be discussed here. They vary in weight and size but on average grow to about a pound. The most noticeable feature is the quills. Quills are modified hairs that are sharp, tapered, and have hollow sections to prevent breakage. The hedgehog uses his quills for defense. If he feels threatened, the hedgehog will curl into a ball, protecting the soft underbelly and exposing the would be attacker only to quills. He then huffs threateningly, pops, and clicks to fend off anything that might want to harm him. It's amazing how these little creatures can make animals (and people!) fifty times their size back off.
Hedgehogs have elongated snouts and bright eyes. Their underfur is soft, a contrast to the quills on their back. Their legs are long and they are very quick on their feet. These are not the fat waddling animals most people think of! They have an inquisitive personality and enjoy climbing, running, exploring, and human interaction. Once a hedgehog feels comfortable with you, his quills will lay flat and it feels rather like petting a hairbrush. They snuffle into everything and love crawling around your lap and arms. A hedgehog's feet will have five toes on the front feet and four on the back.

Hedgehogs are one of the most personable animals avaible. Each hedgehog has a different personality. Some are "cuddlehedgies", completly content to flop in your lap and accept a good quill scratch. Others are more adventerous, poking their noses into every crook, nook, and cranny they come across. All hedgehogs will quill up if they feel threatened. Biting is rare, but occasionally an owner will get a hedgehog that does and must be trained out of it. Hedgehogs love to explore anything and are extremely active animals. In the wild they will roam several miles a night. Because of their activity level, it it highly recommended that they be provided with a wheel. Once tamed and comfortable with you, they love to interact with their human pals. I have even heard of hedgehogs shadowing their owners, following them around whereever they went.
One of the oddest behaviours, unique to hedgehogs, is what's called annointing. A hedgehog will encounter a new smell and begin to lick, nibble, bite and chew whatever object the smell is on. Then the hedgehog foams at the mouth and begins to lick the foam onto his quills. It's quite a sight. Here you can see a picture of my hedgehog Snuffles annointing (last on page).

There are several ways to get your hedgie used to you. One of the favored is to wear an old t-shirt for a couple of days then cut a piece out and place it in the cage so that your smell is constant. Just make sure there are no loose threads as they can get wrapped around a hedgehog's leg and cause loss of limb. You should always handle your hedgehog as much as possible, preferably around dusk or later as they are nocturnal. Bribery is another way for your hedgie to realize that you are a good thing. Mealworms are a favorite, as are crickets. Above all, treat your hedgehog with respect and LOVE. That goes the farthest.