[Taybug]

I've been on hedgehog central for a while now (almost a year I think?) But I haven't introduced me or my hedgehog!

This is Wilbur, a male African Pygmy Hedgehog born in Spring 2020! He's a very curious little guy and prefers exploration over anything else, either trying to be mischievous and sneaky or sitting down and just enjoying the view.


I got him while still living with my parents (or technically they got him and he ended up becoming mine) and it took a long time to bond! Almost A YEAR!!!! 😱

Since then he has become my Emotional Support Animal and we have moved across country for college to study Zoology!
The move was a big change and he became very stressed in the last few weeks before the move (I think because of all the changes and my stress) and has a bit of quill loss because of it 😞 and had a hibernation attempt as well.

But he has made a full recovery and now that we've moved we are going to the vet often for wellness checks! 🥳


Some fun facts:

• he needs a curtain over his litter box or he won't use it! (Privacy 🤭)
• he's currently on a diet! (633 g chunky!!)🍽
• he hates the sound of people on the phone using earbuds!😵‍💫🎧
• he (of course) loves bugs but has REALLY bad aim! (If they crawl underneath him he gets confused and gives up)🪳
• he's not photogenic! Too much sniffing!!📸
• he loves baths and traveling! 🚿🚗
• he'll stare at me when he wants something (usually bathroom, food, or done with cuddles)🥺

 

[Ragou]

Hello Wilbur! He sounds like a fun little guy, he's also really cute! Lol, my Ragnar stomps on poor bugs with his feet accidentally and won't eat them when it happens... and he loves baths?! Mine hates them, but I've found out that most hedgies do

I gather that you're looking after him very well! 633 g is not necessarily too much, since there are small and big hedgehogs too. If he can ball up and looks like a pear from above, he's fine. But you can reduce mealworms and percentage of fat in his diet.

By the way, I am a biologist too I specialized in micro/cell biology. What area of research do you find most attractitve (etology, ornitology, entomology, marine biology etc.)?

 

[shetland]

I think sweet Wilbur is very photogenic! Good news that he is settling in too! His TOOFERS are adorable......................what a smile!!

 

[Taybug]

Hello Wilbur! He sounds like a fun little guy, he's also really cute! Lol, my Ragnar stomps on poor bugs with his feet accidentally and won't eat them when it happens... and he loves baths?! Mine hates them, but I've found out that most hedgies do

I gather that you're looking after him very well! 633 g is not necessarily too much, since there are small and big hedgehogs too. If he can ball up and looks like a pear from above, he's fine. But you can reduce mealworms and percentage of fat in his diet.

By the way, I am a biologist too I specialized in micro/cell biology. What area of research do you find most attractitve (etology, ornitology, entomology, marine biology etc.)?

Awww so cute!! Wilbur sometimes does the same, especially if he's really in a hunting mood lol
He does love baths!!! But only if I wake him up before I prep the bath so he's fully awake! It was an odd discovery because his previous owner swore he hated them!
As for his weight, the main problem was that he gained weight super quickly! Because he was adjusting to a new environment (and new sounds bc of a roommate and people walking in the dorm halls) he refused to use his wheel for a few weeks and would only eat then go back to sleep! But now he's become more adjusted and both losing weight and gaining muscle again!

That is so cool!! I've always struggled with the smaller stuff so cell and microbiology is intimidating for me lol but I'm really fascinated by mammology and animal behavior! There's still so much to be discovered!

 

[Taybug]

I think sweet Wilbur is very photogenic! Good news that he is settling in too! His TOOFERS are adorable......................what a smile!!

Why thank you!! He'd probably be delighted to hear that! 🥰
Yes! I had gotten some live mealworms (a rare treat, live feeding is banned at my school. Don't tell them!) from work and he was on the hunt! 🧛

 

[Ragou]

Then the problem is resolved, hopefully! He needed to adjust as you say

Awesome, animal behavior was also one of my favorite subjects! I wish you much fun with your hedgie and with your studies <3