[heggiemommie]

Hello,
I would like to introduce my self before asking for some advice. My name is Sandra, and I am a new hedgie mommy. I have been reading this forum for a while now, and would like to get some help.

Im having some problems with my new hedgehog, and really need some help. I purchased a 9 week old male albino hedgie 3 weeks ago from a licensed breeder. He seemed really calm when we first met him. His quills were down, and he was even cuddling in my daughters hands. Ever since I took him home he does nothing but jump, click, hiss, and ball up every time we go near him and touch him. The one good thing is he doesnt bite (yet). I take him out every day for about an hour. I give him mealworms, and talk to him, and lightly pet him, but he doesnt seem to be getting any better. I even put my worn shirt in his house he sleeps in, but that doesnt seem to be helping either.

I am wondering what I might be doing wrong. Is there something else I could do to calm him down, and to get him to feel more comfortable with me?

Thank you!

Here is a picture of my new baby Spike.

 

[LizardGirl]

Welcome to HHC, Sandra! Your little boy is a cutie.

Young hedgehogs go through quilling at the age yours is now, where they lose quills and grow bigger ones in. Hedgies usually get very grumpy and defensive for a few weeks to a few months because the quills coming in are so uncomfortable. I'll bet that's why he's acting differently.

Keep handling him gently, and try not to put pressure on his back if you can avoid it. Once the quills are all in he should grow out of the huffy-ness.