Not friendly.

[HedgyHoggyMommy]

I know it's my fault for not handling my hedgie Orion enough but every time I go near him he rolls into a ball and breaks holes in my fingers. He doesn't like light so I he's unhappy when I take him out of his home. I've tried a hedgie sack but he potties in it the moment I put him in. So here's my question how do I handle him so he doesn't get so scared? Should I be carrying him around in his hedgie bag all day which might mess up his sleep pattern? I really love the little guy he's the cutest little albino baby but he's getting big fast and I'm afraid he may never be friendly if I don't start soon. Please help and thanks, Kirsten.

[Nancy]

If you are sitting watching TV in the evening, have him in his bag sitting on you. Have you tried putting a just worn t-shirt in his cage so he gets used to your smell?
The more he is on you the quicker he will get used to you.
I wouldn't carry him around all day but anytime you are sitting doing something reasonably quiet have him on you.
Give him treats everytime he is out with you. Sometimes all it takes is time and patience. :)

[HedgyHoggyMommy]

Thanks so much. I had him on me for about an hour tonight and fed him his dinner in his hedgie sack on my chest. Do you think he needs a playmate or are they solitary in the wild? Thanks, Kirsten.

[Love4Hedgies]

No playmates since he is a male. Males do not do well with other males and should not come in contact with females accept for breeding purposes. And yes, they are mainly solitary. :)

[Nancy]

Nope, he can't have a playmate. Males cannot be housed together or they will fight sometimes to the death. Yes, hedgehogs are solitary creatures. :)

[CoquiMom]

Being albino the light hurts his eyes since they have no pigmentation to protect them.

To help curb the pooping. Try waking him up and letting him have a sniff and stretch for a few minute before you take him out of his cage. :) This can also help with litter training if you stick him in the same place each time.

Have you been putting cloth with your scent on it in his cage?

It sounds like you are already on your way to a happy relationship.

[HedgyHoggyMommy]

Thanks everyone for the help and advice. He has toys up the wazoo to play with/in but he lives in his wheel at night. Kirsten.

[Schmuzzle's Mom]

My girl spends alot of time in her wheel too and does not really play with the other toys i have tried in her cage. She gets a lot of snuggle time any time we feel cuddly. My daughter and I get her out of her cage and she just continues to sleep away the day wherever we are and whatever we are doing. She was very huffy at first, but after even just the first few days, she started settling down. We handle her every day, sometimes alot and sometimes just an hour or so of cuddle time. I can't find a way to wake her up, she just does it when she is ready. I find she plays with her other toys on the occasions when she is up and wants to play when we have her out.

She does not need a playmate other than you.....spend lots of time with her even just cuddle time and she will get to know you quicker and tame up much easier.....like with most things.....consistency is good!

Best of luck and keep up the good work!

[hedgehog69]

try feeding hiim in the morning and that will break his nocturnal habits and you can also wear a thin pair of leather gloves when you handle him until he gets use to you and your scent. and sometimes that can take up to a year.

[Nancy]

Feeding a hedgehog in the morning is not a good idea and is not going to break their nocturnal habits. A hedgehog is going to be up at some point in the night regardless of how often and how long they are kept up during the day. They need their food when they are up and active not when they are ready to go to bed.