Curiosity hedgehog

[Cherylrawr]

According to all the forum and article I have read. Owners always take their hedgehog and let the sleep on their lap to bond with them and let them get use to you. But the problem is, my hedgehog just won't stay still when I lay her on my lap, he will stay sniffing around and go around. Is this normal or my hedgehog is hyperactive ?

[DesireeM81]

You just have an explorer. For him the best would be to set up a hedgie proof area and let him roam. You can sit in there with him and give him treats when he comes to say hi.

[Lilysmommy]

Ahh, you have a different personality than what many people get. Your hedgie is normal too! She just happens to be an explorer-type hedgie that would rather get up & do things than lay around and sleep. That just means bonding is a little different for you guys. Instead of trying to make her stay on your lap, try to set up a hedgehog-proof room for her. Block off underneath furniture & behind, and anything else you don't want her to get into or under, etc. If this would be difficult, a playpen would be a good idea so you can keep her more contained & in a safe place.

For bonding/playtime, just sit or lay on the floor with her. Give her new things & smells to check out, pillows that she can climb or burrow under, etc. You can set up little obstacle courses (search the forums for "obstacle course", one member posted pictures of what hers looks like for her hedgie), and you can hide treats around for her to sniff out & find. She may not interact directly with you much. But she'll still be around you, getting used to you, and you can get her acclimated to you picking her up, holding her for a few minutes at a time, etc. She'll still learn that you taking her out means fun things are going to happen.

[shinydistraction]

Some hedgehogs are explorers, and it sounds like you have one. Don't worry, this is normal. Sit with your hedgehog and let him explore around you. This is also a good way to bond. Also, they can be fairly entertaining to watch as they explore the world around them Have fun!

[AlexandPersephone]

My hedgehog is like this after about 9pm. She will run laps around my (hedgie proof room) for literally 2 hours, running through tubes, pushing around balls and dragging blankets around until she stops to eat. If I sit on the floor with her she'll take an interest that I'm there and run up to me and head but me or crawl on to my lap, but she's perfectly fine when I read a book or watch a movie. Just sit with your hedgehog while he runs
If I take Persephone out around 6pm all she wants to do is curl up in a cuddle sack and sleep. So maybe try taking your hedgie out at a time that is out of the normal routine and you might get him to sleep on your lap.

[knlght]

that kind of hedgehog personality is so cool to me . you may not be able to interact that much but you can watch her roam/play around.