Hedgehog "bonding?"

[Aberdeenismyhedgie]

Hi guys!

I have a one year old hedgehog and have just recently gotten another little girl who is about nine months. They have been connecting greatly! So well that I decided that they could share a cage. (They're both females so I figured nothing would go wrong). Well, a couple of nights ago I heard a chirping noise coming from one of them. I figured it was the new young one being harassed by the older one, Aberdeen, so I separated the two for the night. Today I set them both in the hallway for play time together. Aberdeen, my older hedgie, immediately started play time (which is a new habit now that she has a friend.) but Octavius (the younger, and yes feminine hedgehog) stayed balled up. Aberdeen went up to her and started sniffing her and that's when she started squeaking! It's Aberdeen making the noise! Not Octavius! Now Aberdeen seems to be just fine going and sniffing and chirping, but Octavius isn't so happy, she balls up and huffs at Aberdeen, much like she does when I wake her up. Is this chirping normal? Do I have to keep them in separate cages? Is Aberdeen playing nice or plotting murder?! Every answer helps!

[Dee]

Are you sure Aberdeen is a female?

[Lilysmommy]

Agreed, though it may seem like a silly question. Chirping is common from males trying to court a female, so just in case. Even with both female, I think personally I'd keep them housed separately - it doesn't sound like Octavius is completely fond of Aberdeen, and you don't want to risk any incidents in the middle of the night that you don't hear. Playtime might be okay, supervised, but a shared cage leaves too much time for quick fights where you may not have to intervene.

[Aberdeenismyhedgie]

I'm pretty sure Aberdeen is female. I can't be 100% positive. I know she doesn't have a belly button, and her parts are right next to her tail, but again I can't say it's an absolute yes. They're sharing a cage right now and are sleeping side by side, so I believe they're okay, but at night I'll separate them or if I leave the house.

[nikki]

I think putting them together and then taking them apart and putting them back together again all the times would be very stressful to them. They are better off, and a lot safer, if they just have their own cages to stay in and are only together during playtime.

[JulieAnne]

Not to mention if you aren't "100% sure" why risk it?

I have 2 girls and I do get them together for play time (where they mostly ignore each other lol) but will never house them together. Way too much could go wrong while I'm asleep and I just wouldn't be able to forgive myself.