She ate a baby

[jennypants]

Ok I think around the 2nd of May was when harriett gave birth. A couple of days ago she moved out of her igloo to burrow underneath the newspaper on the other side of the cage. I just now saw some blood on a piece of paper towel in the igloo. I went in the cage, took out the igloo and started to clean some of the area. I found a baby's hide. I'm wondering if she had more and has one with her in the new nest or if maybe she only had the one. There was only 1 baby last time. If they cannibalize do the eat the whole litter? The cage is so disgusting and if she doesn't have any babys I would like to clean it and make sure she's okay. Please help. :nolove:

[Nancy]

Yes they can eat the whole litter and all you might find are a few drops of blood.

Can you hear squeeking or suckling noises. If she has any living you should be able to hear it/them sometimes. I use a nursery monitor beside the cage so I can listen without her knowing I am around.

She probably doesn't have any live ones but give it another day or so and listen closely.

[hedgehog69]

I have had them only cannibalize one before wait till she leaves the nest and try to peak but DO NOT touch the babies ot the nest use a plastic spoon to see be very careful not to leave you scent behind otherwise she might reject them if they are alive

[jennypants]

Do they change nests after they cannibalize?

[CoquiMom]

Sometimes they change. There may have been something wrong with that baby.
I personally would leave her alone until the babies are 2 weeks old just in case she has others that are alive. She may find your intrusion enough to make her cannibalize the others. This is the heartbreak of breeding and one of the reasons most breeders tell others to really think about it carefully before they breed.

[HedgieMomma]

I would suggest carefully listening (*in the evening when mom is out to eat) for little squeaks. Very young babies will squeak a lot when mom goes out to eat, if you hear squeaks, then leave the cage alone. If you wait an hour an hear nothing while she is away from her nest, then it might be safe to say she has cannibalized her whole liter. She may only leave one remain behind, I have had that happen. Next time- be prepared to leave mommy alone. Mom's tend to cannibalize their offspring when they are disturbed after they have babies.
Good luck to you!
Michelle