Hedgehog care - OPEN

[Norse Princess]

Introduction!



So, you've decided to look into getting a hedgehog, or you already have one and you want to learn more. Well, welcome to the right place! My goal is to educate people in the world of these prickly little mammals! Are you ready to take the journey that will bring you to better care and better knowledge about hedgehogs?

This thread is for more than just learning! It's also welcomes any questions or comments you would like to add, such as your own experiences as an owner. Maybe you don't have a hedgehog, but you love them, you're welcome too! Even if you don't like hedgehogs, everyone is welcome, just don't flame us. I will bring down the hammer if you do.

Learn about us!



Hello! My name is Jasmine! I would like to note that I am only using what I have learned from my own experiences. I am not an expert and I am not a veterinarian. I have had a hedgehog for over a year and I did a lot of research before getting him. And my little minion is named Blu! He's a pinto morph African pygmy hedgehog and he loves meal worms and crickets!



My name is Ashley, this little munchkin' is Zulu. He is an Algerian Grey Pinto, I've had him for about a month and a half now. I read quite a lot about hedgehogs before I got him. His favorite food is frozen strawberries and he loves to cuddle.

[Norse Princess]

About Hedgehogs


There are seventeen different species of these adorable little critters all over the world, but none are native to Australia and North America. Because of their spines and their nocturnal tendencies, they've hardly had to change over the past fifteen-million years. Yes, they are that old. Its name is Middle English and is because they often live near or under hedgerows, and because of their pig-like snouts.

The Spines and Body

The spines of a hedgehog are not poisoned, barbed, and they don't come out like the barbs of a porcupine, so don't worry about getting their spines in you. And if you look under a microscope, they aren't as sharp as they feel. Just like humans lose hair, hedgehogs shed their quills. The common defense is for your hedgehog to roll into a tight ball, I'll talk about ways to get them out without hurting them. Their feet are very small, so be delicate.

Predators in the Wild

Hedgehogs in the wild have few predators, but small species of hedgehogs are preyed on by foxes, wolves and mongoose. Other hedgehog species are preyed on by birds and ferrets. Hedgehogs really hate birds, so having a huge parot wouldn't be wise if you want a hedgehog too.

Behavior

Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal, not all species are. They also generally dig dens or they sleep during the day under or in the protection of long grass, bushes, rocks, or holes. Some hedgehogs, but not all, hibernate. This depends on the temperature, species, and how much food they have. Hedgehogs can communicate to one another through a variety of grunts, snuffles, or squeals.

There is also a strange behavior that hedgehogs do. This is called anointing. When hedgehogs encounter a new scent, they will lick and bite the source of this scent. While they do this, they form a froth in their mouth that matches the new scent, and they paste the scent onto their quills with their tongue. It is believed that this is a form of camouflage, by masking their scent.

Hedgehogs, like opossums, mice, and moles, have some natural immunity against snake venom because of the protein in their muscles. Remember, all this information is based off of wild hedgehogs, the rest of the forum will be for captive hedgies.

[Norse Princess]

Species


Four-toed Hedgehog
Found in much of central and eastern Africa. Also known as the African Pygmy Hedgehog. This species is the most popular domesticated hedgehog sold in the pet trade. They are rarely taken from the wild because of their popularity. They generally live 4-6 years with proper care and come in several different morphs.

North African Hedgehog
Found in Algeria, France, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain, and Tunisia. Also known as the Algerian Hedgehog. Little is known about these hedgehogs, though it is a common domestic breed. They are commonly cross-bred with a Four-toed Hedgehog.

Southern African Hedgehog
Found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Very little is known about this species.

Somali Hedgehog
Found in Somalia. Very little is know about this species.

Amur Hedgehog
Native to Amur Krai and Primorye in Russia, Manchuria in China and the Korean peninsula. This species is very simular to the West European Hedgehog.

Southern White-breasted Hedgehog
Also known as the East European Hedgehog, White-bellied Hedgehog or White-chested Hedgehog. It is simular to the European Hedgehog, so simular, infact, that they were thought of being of the same species.

Northern White-breasted Hedgehog
This species extends throughout Poland, Austria, Yugoslavia, Greece, the Adriatic Islands, Russia, Ukraine, and even into Siberia.

European Hedgehog
The European Hedgehog is common throughout nothern and western Europe. They are small mammals, reaching bout 20-30 cm in length. They are on a protection list in the UK and protected by law in Denmark.

Long-eared Hedgehog
Native to Central Asia. This species, sadly enough, are prone to parasites and disease and if they are kept as pets, they should be bought from a respected dealer.

Indian Long-eared Hedgehog
Considered a sub-species of the Long-eared Hedgehog. This species is native to India and Pakistan. They have a complex mating ritual.

Daurian Hedgehog
A small hedgehog it populates Dauria in Russia and Nothern Mongolia. This species is endagered and protected.

Hugh's Hedgehog
Also known as the Central Chinese Hedgehog, it is native to Central China and Manchuria.

Desert Hedgehog
IFound in the Sahara Desert, Algeria, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara, Yemen, and possibly Ethiopia. This species is one of the smallest species of hedgehogs, reaching only 5 1/2 to 11 inches long.

Brandt's Hedgehog
Native to the Middle East and Middle Asia. It is about the same size as the West European Hedgehog and hase large ears like the Long-eared Hedgehog. It is fast and nocturnal. It uses a cuddling tactic, but can still jump to attack.

Indian Hedgehog
Native to India and Pakistan, it is known for its masked face, similar to that of a raccoon. It us also relatively small. Though it doesn't hibernate, it can still slow its metabolism if food is scarce.

Bare-bellied Hedgehog
Also known as the Madras Hedgehog, it is from the areas of south-eastern Indian. It was believe to be rare, but is now listed on the endagered species list as being a least concern.

[Norse Princess]

General Care


Where should I buy a hedgehog?
The answer to this question varies depending on many factors, but there are some basic guidelines. Generally, it is better to purchase your new pet from a breeder rather than a pet store, but unfortunately, this isn't always possible. No matter where you end up looking, though, make sure that the breeder or store has at least some information on the age and background of their hedgies.

There are so many to choose from! Which should I get?
You will want to choose a single hedgehog since they are solitary and don’t normally like to share a cage. Never buy a male and female to be placed in the same cage unless you intend to breed! You may decide to either go to a pet store or check ads and buy from a breeder. In either case, you are looking for a good healthy animal. Temperament is of major importance and should be a deciding factor as to whether you buy a particular animal or not. After picking a potential pet up, examine it closely. Does it unroll after a few seconds? Does it click, jump or hiss? Hissing is okay. It is simply frightened because it doesn’t know you. Clicking, however, means that it's trying to threaten you. This is NOT acceptable hedgehog behavior and you should look at a different, better-tempered animal. Every hedgehog is different and unique. Some like to play and explore, while others are more content to cuddle. You will be most satisfied with your new pet if you carefully choose the one that best suits your own personality and lifestyle.

Choosing a Healthy Hedgie
When selecting a hedgehog, go over this mental checklist...
Look at the hedgehogs face. Are his eyes nice, round, beady, wide open, and bright, without discharge? Is his nose clean and not running? Are his ears short, clean, with no discharge or crustiness behind them? Sometimes an ear has been chewed on by a sibling. As long as it has healed, this is not something to worry about.

Is his fur on his belly soft and not matted? Are the spines all there with no bare spots? Bare spots indicate an unhealthy animal. Is there any sign of mites, fleas, or crustiness on his back?

Check the pen, is there green droppings or diahhrea? This may not always mean that there is an illness, it may just mean that the store or breeder changed their food recently.

Is his body plump? Not fat, but a healthy weight.

Place him on a flat surface such as a table and watch him walk. Does he wobble or have difficulty staying upright? A healthy hedgehog should have a stride that is somewhere between a walk and a shuffle.

Can you here a rattle when he is breathing or does it seem okay? (Do not mistake normal hedgehog "talk" such as chirping, purring or cheeping for a pneumonia-related rattle)

This be very hard to check all these points, but most of these things are very basic. In fact, you will probably notice many of these things without even realizing it. Most hedgehogs are healthy and they suffer very few serious ailments, so it’s usually not a problem. But, if you do notice any of the problems listed here, have a qualified veterinarian check your choice before taking it home. Ask the person you are purchasing the hedgie from if they have any guarantees. They should at least be guaranteed from genetic defects that will show up in the next month. If something does go wrong with your new pet (which rarely ever does), have your vet check him so that you will have some proof of the problem to show to the person you bought him from.

Sexing!
Both male and female hedgehogs make equally good pets so this decision is entirely your own. You can readily tell a boy from a girl. If the hedgehog is tame and friendly, gently roll it over and look at the area closest to the tail. A female's genitals are immediately next to the a**s, while the male's p***s sheath, or "belly button" is farther up the tummy. The distance between the a**s and belly button will be approximately 1/2 inch on a six week old male hoglet. However, this distance can increase to as much as an inch or more once it fully matures.

How Old Should My Hedghog Be Before I Take It Home?
Never take a hedgehog home if it is under 6-weeks old. Older hedgehogs are fine to take home too, it may just take a bit longer for you to bond with your new pet.

Handling
Now, rule one of handling. DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE QUILLS. They ARE NOT sharp. Rule two of handling. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use gloves or oven mits or baseball mits or whatever else you may use to handle your hedgehog. If it isn't used to your scent then you're fighting for a lost cause. Now that you know these two things, we may begin.

The correct method of picking up your hedgehog is to take both hands, palms up, and scoop them under him and lift gently. If you're a little anxious about the quills, feel welcome to scoop a little further down and take some of the bedding with you. Drop the excess bedding when you move him from hand to hand. Once he's used to you, he won't put up his spines.

If he's in a ball, he'll eventually put his spines down. If he doesn't, cup him in both hands on his back and rock him gently, He'll soon poke his little head out and then you can roll him over onto his belly and let him unroll. If he still doesn't want to come out, roll him onto his stomach and angle your hand so his head is slightly higher than the rest of his body. Then try to find his neck and massage it in small circles. He should poke his head out and when he does, lean him forward and allow him to put his front paws on your other hand, letting him unroll.

[Norse Princess]

Care


Housing
Your hedgehog will require a secure home. They are VERY good climbers and can easily escape from open-topped cages. If you do use a cage with an open top, it must have slippery sides that are at least 12" high and a floor space of at least 24” x 24”. It must also have good circulation and be well lit without exposed to direct sunlight during the daytime. Place your hedgehogs new home in a comfortable, warm, well lit area that is free of drafts and direct sunlight. They are most comfortable at temperatures of between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. The basic rule of thumb is, if you are comfortable without a sweater, they will do just fine. Also, while choosing a cage for your new friend, wire cages work as well, but if they have a wire grate on the bottom, remove it before placing your hedgehog inside. Anything wire including cage floors and wheels are a no-no, since your hedgehogs feet can get caught and break in the spacings of the wire. I have a 3ftx2ftx2ft rabbit cage.
Blu's Cage: XxxxxX
Zulu's Cage: X

Bedding
Is Pine or Cedar safe? Studies show different answers, and different experences can go against these studies. I say steer clear of both since they can cause an allergic reaction. Aspen? Aspen is relatively safe as far as bedding goes. Corn cob bedding? Good, safe bedding, but should not be used for male hedgehogs! Males tend to get the small pieces of cob caught in their p***s sheath and this can cause an infection. It can also rot and mildew when wet so it would have to be cleaned frequently. Paper Bedding? I highly recommend using paper beddings such as CareFresh. I myself use CareFresh and have never had a problem. There have been rare cases of hedgehogs choking on the softer products, but you would have to weigh the chances of that happening.
Clean the cage once a week.
Special Note: I use CareFresh. I started out with Aspen bedding and it cause my hedgehog to get a wood fungus on his ears. Wood beddings can easily cause this, and if left untreated, the fungus will eat away the outer ear entirely. So, not to seem bias, but use CareFresh, it's safe, easy to clean, and doesn't have an strong smell or dust.

Toys:
Hedgehogs love toys! Because they are solitary animals and should be housed alone, toys are needed to keep a hedgehog from getting lonely. Tunnels, huts, balls, and toilet paper tubes all work. Cat toys such as plastic balls with bells in them that can be easily thrown and pushed are great! Look out for any sharp points on the toys though, to the hedgehog won't damage his mouth. I also have a few toys that you can use for birds. I attach them to the bars of the cage so they can be used as a tug of war like toy. Hedgehogs love toilet paper tubes, for some reason they like it when they have it around their heads, be sure your hedgehog doesn't get his head too stuck, so watch him when you introduce your pet to their new toys.

Food and Water:
Hedgehogs should be given fresh water every day. Food dish should be refilled as needed. Don't let it get completely empty. I do not provide fresh food daily, every other day I do, and treats every night because that is when he is most active. As far as water goes, I use bottled water. Never give your hedgehog any water that you won't drink yourself. As far as food goes, try to find hedgehog food. If hedgehog food is unavailable, cat food works aswel, but there are certain things to look for. Make sure that the fat [15% at the most] and protein [30%] content aren't too high, also check the ingredients. If the first ingredient is something like 'chicken by-product meal' or 'corn gluten' do not use it. Ground corn is fine. The more natural the food the better. Blue Buffalo is a good, natural food. I use The GoodLife Recipe, my hedgehog likes it more than his actual hedgehog food.

Treats:
Hedgehogs can have a wide-variety of treats, but they are mainly insectivors. This like cooked egg, cottage cheese, unflavored yogurt [use dairy products sparingly, hedgies tend to be lactose intolerant], cooked salmon, tuna, unspiced chicken, meal worms, crickets, cherries [pitted], apple, watermelon, banana, pear, strawberries, cantelope, papaya, mango, peaches, pumpkin, squash, honeydew, cranberries, raspberries, black berries, plums, blueberries [remove the skin first, potential choking hazard], carots, sweet potato, raddish, turnip, green pepper, asparagus,corn, broccoli and peas [not the pod.] These should be used as a treat only! If it isn't on this list then it is a no-no for hedgehogs.

Grooming:
Hedgehogs do a well enough job grooming themselves, but sometimes their feet and quills get dirty. Living in a cage tends to do that. For giving your hedgehog a bath, you'll need shampoo, I use a small animal shampoo, but Aveno oatmeal body wash works well, especially for dry skin. You'll also need a cup, unless the sink you're using has a sprayer hose, a soft-bristle toothbrush, and a towel.

Run an inch (no more!) of lukewarm water into the bathroom sink. Next, place a drop or two of the shampoo into the water. Now, place your hedgie gently into the water and wet him thoroughly by scooping water from the sink with the cup onto his back. Using the toothbrush, gently and slowly scrub his spines from front to back and in small circles, making sure not to get any of the soapy water in his eyes. Once his back is clean, reach underneath and wash his tummy by gently running your fingers over the fur, but do not flip him over. After he has been thoroughly scrubbed, remove him from the sink, drain the dirty water and once again refill the sink with an inch of lukewarm water. Then, place him back in, thoroughly rinse him off, remove him from the sink and then gently towel him dry. I do not recommend using a hairdryer.

Check his nails, if they need trimming and you don't know how to go about this, have a vet do it for you. You don't want to cut the quick and cause your animal pain and bleeding. There are commercial products that can stop the bleeding, or the bleeding will stop on its own, but not before your pet has lost a reasonable amount of blood. Not to mention, nail trimming is not easy to do on your own, even with my hedgehog it takes two people.

Now, if you think you are capable of trimming your pets nails, use a normal pair of clippers. Hold your hedgehog, grab a foot, and hold on. Try to make it as quick and painless as possible for yourself and your pet. I still recommend that you shouldn't do it on your own at first, get tips from your vet. Thankfully, hedgehog nails don't grown too terribly fast, check every few months for over growth. Some hedgehogs don't need them trimmed at all, so don't assume that they absolutely need to be done.

Litter Training:

Some people have litter trays in their cages to help aid in keeping them clean, but this following information is more for free-ranging hedgehogs that are allowed to roam around an entire house or apartment.

A shallow box or tray that is low enough to the floor to allow your hedgehog to climb in with little or no effort is required. Something that is approximately 12X12 inches wide and 2 or 3 inches high is ideal. Fill this with a quality non-clumping cat litter and clean and maintain it just like you would for a house cat.

The first rule to remember when training a hedgehog to do anything is that they are highly trainable... if they want to be. This is hardly surprising considering the intelligence and complex range of emotions and personalities that are displayed in these creatures. In other words, if they want to be trained to use a litter box, they will use it, but no amount of training will convince some of the less than "civilized" hedgehogs out there!

Just because your pet refuses to use a box at first doesn't necessarily mean that he fits into this category, however. Some hedgehogs catch on rather quickly, while others take more time. So, remember to always be patient. There just are not any hard and fast rules when it comes to hedgehog training.

At first, it may be a good idea to confine your pet to the bathroom or similar room, preferably where the litter box will be permanently situated. If he makes a mistake, place this in his box and show him where it is. There is no need to discipline your hedgehog and even if you do, it will likely have a negative effect. This is usually sufficient but not always. If he continues to miss the box but is, instead, doing his business in another location, move the box to that spot until he is trained to use it.

In most cases, hedgehogs can be house-trained in less time than it takes for a kitten or puppy. Most will even want to use the litter box naturally, but even if they don't, they can be completely house-broken in 2 to 3 days. After he has been using the litter box regularly for a few days it will be safe to allow him free access to the rest of the home. He will return to his special little bathroom every time he hears nature calling, allowing you to walk about the house, fully confident that you won't be stepping in anything squishy.

[Norse Princess]

Ailments and Illnesses

One thing that every hedgehog owner and future owner knows or needs to know is that taking care of a hedgehog is so much more than a hobby. There are certain things that can go wrong with your hedgehog, I'm going to list a few common illnesses and ailments, and maybe a few not-so-common ones. Here we go...

Constipation
If your hedgie seems a bit constipated, try putting him in a couple inches of warm water for quick relief. This will almost always do the trick. Following this, try feeding him a little canned pumpkin (unseasoned brand). Pumpkin almost always works well for constipation. If condition persists, see your Vet.

Cold to touch, lethargy, wobbliness
These symptoms are normally due to your hedgehog becoming too cold. Immediately warm your hedgehog up. Place the hedgehog on a heating pad set on low, under your shirt, or on towels that have been warmed in a dryer. Once your hedgehog is warm, either increase the temperature in the room and make sure there are no drafts. To test for drafts take a candle and hold it next to your hedgehogs cage, if the flame flickers, your hedgehogs cage is in a draft. Adding a Snuggle Safe Disc to your hedgehogs cage will also help him stay warm.

Dry Skin
Dry skin can be caused by mites, fungus, dietary issues, or even just the time of year. When winter comes, lots of hedgehogs, just like their owners, seem to get dry skin. Once mites or fungus have been ruled out, add a couple of drops of Vitamin E oil on the shoulders, back and rump of the hedgehog. Others suggest bathing the hedgehog in Aveeno or other oatmeal based soap or adding olive oil to the bath water. If you suspect a dietary issue, try adding a pinch of Missing Link supplement to your hedgehogs food nightly. This product contains Omega fatty acids.

Green Stools
Green stools can be caused by a wide variety of things. Stress, change in diet or water, or illness can cause abnormal stools. If your hedgehog's stools have become green and you have changed their diet, moved them recently, give them a day or two and their stools should return to a normal color. If your hedgehog quits eating, drinking, or the stool continues to remain green and loose, seek veterinary assistance.

Mites
Mites are very common. Symptoms include quill loss, scratching, dry flaky skin, and tattered ears. Mite infestations can lead to red inflamed skin, open sores, blindness, ear infections and death. See your vet for mite treatments. Wash and disinfect cages, wheels, etc. Remove any wood products from the hedgehogs cage, these products are nearly impossible to disinfect, and can harbor mites and their eggs. One method to help determine if there are mites present, place your hedgehog on a black cloth and gently rub its quills. Next place the cloth under a bright light and look for white dots that are moving about. If you see movement then your hedgehog has mites.

Obesity
Obesity can be indicated by yellowing under the armpits. This problem can also lead to Fatty Liver Disease, which is a very serious and fatal disease if not treated. To help get your hedgehog back into shape, reduce the fat and calories of its diet. Also try to encourage your hedgehog's exercise, if you don't have a wheel, add a wheel to his cage.

Quill Loss
Quills can be lost for a couple of reasons. The most common cause for quill loss are mites. If you suspect mites, take your hedgehog to a vet. Also please note that hedgehogs who are 8 weeks to 6 months of age will begin to quill. Quilling is the time when a young hedgehog starts to shed their baby quills and replace them with their adult quills. Quilling normally lasts for about 4 weeks.

Tattered Ears
Tattered ears can be caused by mites, fungus or dietary issues. A veterinarian will need to determine if your hedgehog has mites or fungus. Once these are ruled you can try rubbing a little cocoa butter or vitamin E cream to the ears a few times a week to help soften them. Many owners will also add Missing Link, cod liver oil, or Spectrum Essential Oil to the hedgehogs food. These products help add the Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids to your pets diet.

Ear Fungus
Hedgehog ears should look smooth and rounded around the edges, if your hedgehog has 'fingers' growing from his ears then he may have a fungus growing on his ears. This fungus is reported to be a common wood fungus that comes in on wood products (bedding, newspaper, etc). Under the finger like growths on your hedgehogs ears, this fungus is eating slowly away at the edge of the ears. Eventually, if left untreated, it will eat the ears away to nub. I have dealt personally with the horrid wood fungus, if you see these 'fingers' take your pet to a vet and get medicine as soon as possible.

Discharge from the ears
If your hedgehog has a discharge from his ears please take him to a vet. A discharge from the ears could possibly be mites or an ear infection.

Discharge, watery eyes
Watery eyes or a discharge from the eyes could result from infection, allergies, or an injury. Please see your vet for diagnosis.

Bloody Feet
Check for a broken nail or tiny cuts on the hedgehogs feet. Clean the area with warm water and determine where the blood came from and if it is still bleeding. Next try to determine what caused the problem. If your hedgehog has tiny cuts on the bottom of his feet, and you just recently added a wheel, it is possibly your quilly friend ran until his feet got hurt.

Lumps under skin, tumors, and cancer
Unfortunately tumors and cancer are very common in hedgehogs. Please see your vet to determine what the lump is and how to best treat it.

[Norse Princess]

Facts and Additional Info

● Hedgehogs get along with most other pets, aside from birds and ferrets.

● As an alternative bedding, a fleece liner that is washed weekly can be used.

● Be prepared to watch your hedgehog bend in awkward ways when they anoint. Don't be alarmed to see your spikey friend foaming at the mouth when they do this.

● Aside from cat food, ferret food can also be used.

● For a wheel choice, try to use a flying saucer style wheel, hedgehogs like those most.

● Keep toilet paper tubes as toys exclusive to hedgehogs over the age of 3 months.

● Hedgehogs can swim, some enjoy it. I can say that mine does not like swimming, or water.

● Be prepared to get very little sleep for the first few nights you have a hedgehog if your pet is caged in your room where you sleep. Eventually, you get used to it and don't even wake up after a while.

● My hedgehog will start to anoint on my skin. He really likes my natural scent that is on my neck/collar bone. I never spray perfume there, so it isn't from that. Now, if you're holding your hedgehog and you feel him licking your skin, don't throw him off, he's simply starting to anoint, but I would recommend removing him from that area so he doesn't start the biting and nibbling stage of anointing. So unless you want to get nibbled on, remove your hedgehog from the area of your skin he's starting to lick.

● Be prepared to have to gain your hedgehog's trust. Some are harder to do this with than others. Regular handling can help with this, but you can also do the following: Place a recently worn t-shirt of a piece of cloth that has been under your pillow for a few nights inside of your hedgehog's cage, this will get him used to your scent. Positive reinforcement! When your hedgehog uncurls on your lap, offer him a treat or when he makes any other sort of progress when it comes to trusting you.

● When you take your hedgehog to the vet to treat mites, ask about a topical treatment called Revolution. The common treatment for mites is an injection called Invermectin. This treatment can cause death in hedgehogs, but it isn't the medicine's fault. The fault is because it can easily cause an overdose. Topical treatments are almost always better for hedgehogs rather than injections. Injections for hedgehogs and other small animals is often given through the stomach like rabies shots are done for humans. So save your prickly pal from a lot of pain and use Revolution.

[Norse Princess]

Q&A

Are they easily trainable?
Depends on their age that you get them at. Older hedgehogs are harder to have get used to you, so it takes a bit of patience.

If someone's never held one, are they a surprise prickle sort of feel?
As far as what their spines feel like, I always tell people that it's like putting your hand straight down on grass or hay, where there is that prickly feeling, but after having the quills in your hand, prickling for a good while, it leaves your hands feeling itchy.

[Norse Princess]

Useful Links

Morphs/Colors of African Pygmy Hedgehogs: Click Here
The Dos and Don'ts of Treats: Click Here
For Other Animals: Betterment and Education Thread

[Norse Princess]

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[Ershley]

You should also add the foods they can't have. They can only have a little of cottage cheese due to being lactose intolerant. I also use a fleece liner for my hedgies cage.