Q: Do hedgehogs give off an odor?

A: Hedgehogs do not give off any offensive oder. Very few people are allergic to hedgehogs. Most people who are allergic to other animals, find that they have little or no reaction to hedgehogs.

 

Q: What is the life span of an hedgehog?

A: They live 3-6 years.

 

Q: Are hedgehogs good pets for children?

A: They are not good pets for children under 10. Hedgehogs are nervous and need to be in a calm environment. They are also nocturnal, which means they are awake during the night.

 

Q: What is quilling?

A: This is when a hedgehog loses their baby quills and grows in the adult quills. It usually starts when they are 6-10 weeks old. This can last for weeks, or in some cases - months. Some hedgehogs are bothered by this, and some are not.

 

You know your hedgehog is quilling, when there are quills all over their cage. Quilling can make the hedgehog temporarily grumpy. This is like teething to a baby. They are sore, and their skin is often dry. Sometimes, a nice warm Aveeno-Oatmeal bath will help.

 

Quilling can make your friendly, happy hedgehog huffy and grumpy. Don't be afraid though - they still need to be handled daily. If you are nervous about picking up your qulling hedgehog, you can use a small cloth or blanket. Never use a glove to pick up your hedgehog.

 

Q: What is self-annointing?

A: This is an unusual habit that hedgehogs exhibit. No one knows exactly why - but it is thought that when they encounter new smellls, they foam-up saliva and lick their sides. This is nothing to worry about - just normal hedgehog behavior.