[Data]

I'm new here, but not necessarily new to hedgehogs. I had a hedghog probably 15+ years ago now (wow, such a long time! I hadn't even thought about how long it's been until now. But I digress). I was under 10 years old, but I don't remember the exact age that I had gotten him. Our local pet store, a family owned business, had received him from someone that couldn't care for him anymore and so my mother bought him for me. I believe he was already a few years old when we received him, and we had him for another 5 or 6 years until he passed away (RIP <3).

I'm not sure how much the previous owner of mine took him out and played with him so he didn't like to be picked up much, which, obviously, resulted in him balling up and our hands in much pain.

I guess my question is, how well do they bond? I realize my hedgehog was an adult already when we received him and was pretty set in his ways, so he didn't like to be bothered much. We took him out for a daily run and such, but he didn't enjoy the picking up part. Will I be able to pick them up at some point without being poked or will they always ball up?

 

[Hedgiepets]

Some will always be a grump. Others will take a little time to adjust, then be fine and not ball up or just briefly. Then there are a few that never ball up. They all have different personalities.

 

[tie-dye hedgie]

If and when you do get another hedgie, you can put a t-shirt of your's in their cage to let them get used to your smell and cuddling time in the evening for an hour or so will strengthen the bond between you two.
Welcome to HHC!!!