naming a hedgie........

[Traquair]

Hi all-im a new owner-just got her yesturday and i need some major help with naming her-shes very loving :D ,loves to run around a lot :eek: and is a creamy color<cinnacot if you know the color :) > and a plus with her is that she didnt even pop once when i first held her and another thing i need some help with is how to pick her up while sleeping and how to change her habit of sleeping during the day

[Traquair]

ok-now her name is Flo Jo,but i still need help on those other questions

[horse_chic89]

you cannot stop them from sleeping in the day. they are nocturnal animals, and only come out at night in the wild. you souldn't even think about changing that. the best time to wake her is in the morning or at night. if she is awake in the daytime, it is good to pick her up if she is already awake. help wilth picking her up...hummm.... does seh huff and spike up her quills? if so, use a blankie or cloth, if not, slip you hand under her belly!! i hope i helped some!!

[Traquair]

yes you did-thanks

[Ododad]

Hello Flo Jo. Can't wait to see ya!
Horse_Chic is right. Actually, they are binureal. (sp?) Meaning that they are most active in the early evening and early morning. They can be trained to change, but this is their nature and like Horse_Chic, I wouldn't recommend it. I get both of mine up during the day sometimes for playtime. Usually, after a few moments of being grumpy, they are ready to play for a short while. Thats one of the really cool things about hedgies, they are ready for loving when you are! If you get them up, and they don't want to play, then they will simply cuddle somewhere and go back to sleep. To add just a little bit of what Horse_Chic said, I have found it eaiser to pick them up approaching from the butt. I talk to them gently for a few minutes so they get a chance to know my voice, then cup both hands under them. Then I bring them quickly to my chest and let them get their feet in my hand so that they are standing in my hand, leaning against my chest. This seems to make them more comfortable. After that, I use my other hand and cover their butt. After a little bit of holding them like that, quitely talking to them, I start stroking their quills in the same direction they lay down. At first, a lot of huffing and jumping but then gradually they settle down. It's important for them to hear the sound of your voice and learn your smell. Their sense of smell and incridible sense of hearing is how they view the world around them. They don't see that well. Another good idea is to place a old tee shirt which you have worn in with him every night so he will get used to your smell. Offering a treat everytime you handle him will also get him to used to you more quickly. All hedgies are different though, some love to be held, and some don't. You won't get to know your hedgie until you have spent a little time with him. You will slowly see his personility come forth and will learn as much about him as he learns about you!

[tigerbabygrr]

Do you mean Diurnal instead of Binureal, Ododad?

[Ododad]

That's it! Thanks.. :)

[Traquair]

ok-another thought came to my mind and im so sorry for asking too many questions :| but-am i allowed to play music?with like people singing?because i dont know if that would like screw up her "trust" thing like because since shell be up at night when im playing it shell hear that-not me-so am i allowed? ;)

[Ododad]

I play guitar and piano and both of mine don't seem to mind. If music is a constant sound in your house, then it is a sound that they will get used to. One thing I might add though, their hearing is very, very acute. They can hear the smallest sounds. Loud sounds are very upsetting to them. I always play softly.

[Tab&Chauncy]

My hedgie actually likes music, and he will come closer to me when I am near the music.