CRAZY New Owner Questions!!!

[Lolashewas]

You can all breathe easy, knowing that I have no questions about breeding, and no "neat" stories about spraying Canned Air at my Baby Lola! (I read that thread and nearly fell out of my chair!)

No, these are just strange questions, that I thought someone might know about...

1) Can Hedgehogs swim?

2) Is it possible (or even ok) to try to switch their routines from night to day? ie; leaving the light on in Hedgies room at night and keeping it dimmer in the day...

3) Do Hedgies have scent/musk glands like ferrets?

4) If an adult Hedgie loses a quill, does one grow back in it's place?

5) Can hedgies learn "tricks"?

6) Do they know their names (recognise would be the word I guess)?

That's it for now... However, I'm a bit bent in the head, so I'm sure to come up with a few more at sometime! :freak:

[HedgePigLove]

1 - Yes, hedgies can swim. I know of one lady who, in the summer, takes a child's snow disk and fills it partially full with water. She then makes "ramps" up to the edge of the disk and her hedgies climb up and go for a swim. (I've never seen this, though.) Other people put water in the bathtub and let the hedgies swim for a bit of exercise.

2 - I have heard that it's possible to move hedgehogs onto a more diurnal schedule. However, I feel that's tampering too much with their general well-being and would rather enjoy them being awake when they're ready to be.

3 - I don't think that hedgies have scent glands, but won't swear to it.

4 - I think that if an adult hedgie loses a quill they are able to grow a replacement. My Artie quilled as an adult (following a surgery) and now has a full coat again.

5 - It depends on how you define "tricks." (And on the personality of the hedgehog, of course.) I know that it's possible to help a hedgehog become accustomed to certain things (such as running hurdles at an IHOG event), but I think that the hedgehogs who do well at that are ones who like to run and explore.

6 - My guess is that they don't. But I do think they know the sounds of their people's voices and respond to that, rather than responding to just anyone saying their name.

Do ask more questions - these are excellent! Laura

[Lolashewas]

WOW THANKS!!

I've learned opver the years that (and not just about pets of course) that just because something sounds reasonable, it isn't always so...

The reason I asked about the day/night, more out of curiosity but as well the fact my house is such a ZOO! (even when there are only two-leggers about). There's no keeping it quiet all day, and although Lola seems to snooze right on through the hub-ub I was concerned that any future hedgies I might have wouldn't be so tolerant!

The swimming thing is COOL! and somehow, doesn't surprise me :)


Your answers are all GREAT!

I'll be stewing for awhile now to think up some more bizarre ones ::big grin::

[PeaceB2U]

If you are planning on letting your hedgie go for a supervised swim, please create an area where they can leave the water also. They can tire very easily.

[Lolashewas]

If you are planning on letting your hedgie go for a supervised swim, please create an area where they can leave the water also. They can tire very easily.


Thanks, makes good sense :)

[Nancy]

Keep in mind that while hedgies can swim most hedgies also HATE water so swimming will possibly not be enjoyable for her. Of course there are some exceptions to this.

I think hedgies learn to be tolerant of noises as long as it is something they are used to. I find it is strange loud noises that bug my gang, not the everyday ones. :)

[Lolashewas]

Not that I'm planning on tossing her in a tub full of water, I was just curious whether they could or not :) She wasn't overly impressed by her bath the other night (she didn't freak out, but you could tell she'd rather be elsewhere lol)

I'm actually quite impressed that she doesn't seem to mind the daytime noise, nor is she bothered by anyone looking in her bin, unless of course they're reaching in ::sigh:: I still have to catch her if I want to get her out, but curiosity always wins over and she's fine once I'm holding her.