Personality & Behavior
Hedgehogs are generally nocturnal animals, so they are most active at night. Therefore, this is the best time to interact with your Hedgehog. Hedgehogs have all different personalities. Some hedgehogs can be very sweet and cuddly, but almost all hedgehogs have at least a little bit of natural "grumpiness". Your hedgehog might not be very interested in being held or cuddled at certain times (or ever). Some hedgehogs would much rather explore or burrow under blankets, than snuggle or be held. . Balling up is a hedgehog's natural defense against predators in the wild - it makes them into an impenetrable ball of sharp quills. Some hedgehogs will always ball up when they're first woken or picked up. This isn't a sign of an unfriendly hedgehog, but just a reflex reaction. Similarly, some hedgehogs will always lower their forehead quills when startled, especially if something comes suddenly from above or toward their face when they're not prepared. Hedgehogs are quiet animals, but they make a variety of different noises with different meanings. Huffing is a normal reaction to being picked up, hearing the door close, or encountering a new smell. Intense repeated huffing is a defensive sound intended to be "scary". Popping, clicking, and hissing are all signs of agitation. Chirping means the hedgehog is happy or especially interested in something. Snuffling is a common sound while a hedgehog is exploring or encountering something new, including a new smell. Purring is a sign of contentment.
"Quilling" is when a hedgehog sheds old quills and grows in new ones. It's something that all young hedgehogs go through. Most hedgehogs will have a period of quilling around 6, 9, and 12 weeks - however, these ages are only approximate, and the actual quilling periods can vary quite a bit. Some hedgehogs will continue quilling for a while past 12 weeks, and some will essentially be quilling the entire time from 6 through 12+ weeks. Some hedgehogs can also have a small quilling period at 6 months and/or a year old.The quilling that occurs around 9 weeks of age is usually the most dramatic, and can result in a drastic change in color and appearance. For this reason, a hedgehog's adult color cannot be determined until after 9 weeks.Quilling is very uncomfortable because it involves many sharp quills pressing up through the skin. As a result, hedgehogs can be very grumpy during this time, and also very sensitive about having their quills touched. Quilling can turn the sweetest of hedgehogs into a huffy, disgruntled ball of spikes, and this can last for weeks. It's important not to be discouraged during this time, and not to think that it means the hedgehog "hates" you.The best thing to do for a quilling hedgehog is to be patient and gentle but keep contact with their back to a minimum, but continue to handle and socialize them every day. Oatmeal baths can be given frequently during this time, to soothe the discomfort of quilling and to soften the skin, which temporarily reduces the pain of the quills coming in.
Quilling
Anointing
"Anointing" is a strange behavior. It involves licking something and working up a foamy lather of spit in their mouth. Then they twist around and contort their body, mouth open and tongue stretched out, to spread the saliva on their quills. Hedgehogs can become so fixated when they're in the middle of anointing that they seem unaware of what's around them or even fall over sideways during it.
It's a perfectly normal and common behavior, but it can be scary for a new hedgehog owner who doesn't know what it is. Anointing can be done in reaction to just about anything. It's caused by a smell (possibly also taste) that is new and interesting, particularly strong, or just something they like.
Nibbling vs. Biting
Hedgehogs are not "bitey" animals. Like any animal that has teeth, they are capable of biting, but it is very rare to see any repeated biting behavior from a hedgehog that has been well socialized and correctly handled. Aggressive biting habits are most common in hedgehogs that have come from a background of fear, neglect, or even abuse, such as in rescue hedgehogs that are so under-socialized and unused to being handled. Baby hedgehogs sometimes show the "mouthy" behavior the most, as part of interacting with and exploring the many new things in their environment. As they get older, and get used to the various scents associated with their new owner and new home, they begin to grow out of it. This nibbling behavior is relatively harmless - they are not capable of doing much damage to clothes or other objects, and because babies' teeth aren't grown in all the way, being nibbled on the hand is more surprising than it is painful. Because this is essentially an accident, it happens quickly and the hedgehog releases almost immediately, rather than clenching down and holding on. While the nibbling phase that babies go through is harmless, reacting incorrectly to being nibbled can sometimes reenforce the behavior and lead to the development of an intentional biting habit. If nibbling does occur, it's best to react as little as possible. It's especially important to continue normal handling after being nipped, and not return the hedgehog to its cage, which will reenforce the behavior further. Aggressive, intentional biting can be done repeatedly, does not have sniffing or licking as a warning, and lasts longer. Sometimes they will let go on their own after a few seconds, but the best way to get a biting hedgehog to let go is to dribble a little water in the face - not a full stream from a faucet, but just enough to distract them, making them let go.
While some hedgehogs can be "trained" to use a litter tray in their cage, they don't know how to "hold it" - if they're in your hands or your lap when they feel the urge, you'll get pooped on. This is an inevitable part of owning a hedgehog.
Baby hedgehogs, like any baby animal, are essentially "poop machines" because they're growing so much, and eating a lot to support that growth. Babies also don't always catch on to using a litter tray right away. They tend to be messier and need more frequent cage cleanings, but the frequency of the poop and the amount will decrease as they get older and their growth slows down. Hedgehogs poop and pee as they run, so the wheel will get messy and usually has to be cleaned every day. Their feet will also get poop on them from running through it, and they can be cleaned off with a foot bath in shallow water. A damp paper towel or baby wipe will also work. Most hedgehogs will do the majority of their "business" in the first 30 minutes or so after waking - however, just because they poop once doesn't mean it's done. The best way to reduce the likelihood of getting pooped on is to let your hedgehog have time after waking up to move around inside the cage, until they seem to have gotten it out of their system. You can also put them in warm, shallow water (about 1/2" deep) right away when you take them out. In addition to cleaning the poop off of their feet, the water against their underside will stimulate them to poop and pee. For an adult, they typically will be poop-free for several hours afterward. It's still recommended to always have some tissues or paper towels nearby when interacting with your hedgehog outside of the cage.
Pooping
