How long should I wait before ...

[hedgehogmomof2]

introducing Sophie & Sleepy? The introduction would be 100% supervised and on neutral ground (ie not in one or the others cage). I've had Sleepy for just over a year and he is NOT a social hedgehog. Sophie on the other hand is very social and enjoys being out of her cage.

Any suggestions as to when I could or should introduce them?

[Chins&1Quill]

Very good idea on introducing on neutral grounds!!!
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---->I would think if they are good with each other give them a mealie everytime they're good.

Don't really now, but maybe someone else does...would it be good to put the male in the females cage and the female in the males cage so they can get used to each others scent before hand? ;)

[mrgew]

Really to be honest you probably shouldnt, since in less time than it takes you to blink you could have a pregnant hedgie. Plus it could just cause him to be ticked off and try to get to her all the time. Thats just my opinion maybe someone else will have a differing opinion.

[Chins&1Quill]

Maybe she is planning on breeding? :confused:

[mrgew]

Maybe but if not then you probly want to keep them apart so he makes less "stains" in his sleeping area then already.

[Ododad]

Hedgehogs are solitary creatures in the wild and as such, don't require other hedgies for company. Letting the female smell the presence of a male could cause her to constantly be in heat and cause frustration for the female. It's not really doing the male any good either. If your not going to breed, I would not suggest placing them together. I have found that if Odo and Frodo are out at the same time, then Odo acts differently and I can see that she is frustrated and Frodo always tries to get away from Odo. I thought it was cute to see Odo chase Frodo until I found out what was really going on from Teaslesmom. I don't see what an initial introduction would hurt as long as it does not become a habit and is closely supervisied and for a short period only but they should not be out during freedom time together. JMO

[hedgehogmomof2]

I don't plan on breeding, because I think Sleepy is too old. I read somewhere that it's best to breed between 5 months and 1 year old. He's well over a year old, although I don't know an exact age. Plus, he's a petstore hedgie, and I know it's not good to breed pet store hedgies without knowledge of their background.

The hedgies are in the same room, but in seperate cages, so I'm sure they've smelled each other already. I decided to try and introduce them last night, with the help of a couple of extra hands, in case of fighting or whatnot. Sleepy was cranky and didn't care. Sophie was scared of Sleepy's hissing and popping and kept running back into my hands. So, social time between hedgies in this house is a no-go.