Male vs. Female

[AltoClariTone]

I'm planning on buying a hedgie very, very soon. I have a choice between male and female.... what are the behavioral differences? Is one better than the other? If knowing my lifestyle helps, I'm a college student. I live alone in a large apartment, and I am gone in the day. I'm home in the evening (no i don't have parties or play koud music) and I would have time to play.

[Love4Hedgies]

There is really no difference between them. :)

[AltoClariTone]

i have a more questions that i forgot to ask. when to they begin quilling, and how long does last? how many mealworms are too many? if i wanted to use a treat for positive reinforcement that isn't fatty, what else would they like?

[Nancy]

Quilling starts between 8 & 12 weeks and can last from a week to 6 weeks.
Mealworms are fattening so they should be limited. The best thing is to get the really tiny ones so you can give more in numbers.
Keep in mind that not all hedgehogs like mealworms and often babies don't. :)

[Hedge_girl]

I think the rate I've seen most frequently given is 2-3 small mealies every couple of days. As Nancy said, smaller bodies should get fewer mealies so you might try 1 small mealie every couple of days or even hold off until hedgie gets older?
Other treats can include many different possibilities-bits of cooked chicken or beef, baby food, a small piece of banana, or a cheerio. You will may have to experiment a lot to find something your hedgie likes as a treat. (I'm trying to do the same thing with Alina. The finicky girl adores mealworms and turns her nose up at everything else except her Royal Canin kibbles.) If you Search around, there are a multitude of threads dealing with appropriate treats and diet on this forum.

[Ododad]

The diet advice given so far is quite good, I have nothing to add to that. I have one female and two males. The only difference between them that I have noticed is that the males tend to pee more during freedom time than the female does. As far as personality I believe that male or female wouldn't matter. Each hog has a different personility anyway.

[Nancy]

The only difference between them that I have noticed is that the males tend to pee more during freedom time than the female does.

Bet those boys are smelling Odo. ;) I don't find my guys pee unless they are out after the girls. Then watch out. :laugh:

[Ododad]

:laugh: Of that I have no doubt! I try to keep them seperated but they have to use the same play area. I made this area as big as I could (almost the entire living room) but Frodo will still go to spots where Odo has been. I outsmarted him though. I use a small shoe box lid with YN in it for a litter box during freedom time. I put some of Odo's poop in it and now Frodo will search out that litter box and use it.