At 36 days still no babies!

[Lc51290]

Hi, this is my first thread i have ever posted so bear with me please...

Ok I have had Emma (a wonderful little cinnicot female) for almost a year. A little more than a month ago she met Henry (an awesome apricot male) and well...here we are now. From the first day they were together I have counted 36 days today. Now I am positive she is pregnant. She has built a nest out of tp and shaving and has been eating much more than she was before. She has gained weight and you can even see a dark spot on her belly(her liver?). What was the longest pregnacy ever recorded for a hedgie? To me it seems she should have deff. had them by now.....
One more questions, since this is Emma's first litter (as well as mine). What is the best type of bedding to use? I was using a type made out of recycled newspaper but I was afraid that the babies might try to eat it so i switched to plain aspen.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
LC

(I will be sure to post pictures of Emma as soon as i can get my digital working)

[Jessicy]

i think that you are to count from the day you took the male out.... but i'm not breading so maby someone that does can answer you. Sorry

[illinidairychic]

No you count from the first day they are together, but don't rule anything out until at least 55 days. If she's built a nest then she should be popping soon. Just keep an eye on her. As far as the bedding Aspen is fine that is what I put my girls oun when they are pregnant. 36 days is also pretty normal as far as pregnancies go I had a girl hold out til day 38 and she did just fine.

Also welcoe to CnQ!! If you have any more questions keep them coming :)

[Nancy]

35 - 36 days is average gestation. Just leave her alone as she will probably pop anytime.

The last possible day that she could have them is 55 days from the LAST day she was with a male.

Aspen is fine. :)

[Lc51290]

Alright well probably only an hour after i posted this thread SUPRISE!!! Emma had her babies. I was going down only to check on her and when I picked her up I caught a glimse of three (I think three, I didnt get the best look) tiny pink babies. I quickly put her back down and covered her back up with her igloo. Since the babies we so young I am wondering wether or not she will have more. I am so excited right now. I know I can't handle them or Emma for two weeks but I wish I could!
One more question....all three of the babies were pink with white quills. Does that mean when they get older they will be of lighter color variteys? Or do babies not have their darker pigmant when they are just born?
Thanks!
Lc

[lil22]

Hahaha, I knew when I red this post earlier this afternoon that she'd surprise you w/babies today...no, I'm certainly not psychic and I'm no animal communicator, but that seems to ALWAYS be the way! Make sure she gets plenty of privacy! As much as you want to, don't check on her too much...if she seems really nervous, it sometimes helps to put a towel over the cage.

All hedgie babies are born pink. The color developes a few days after birth...which is personally my fav part!!! I love guessing what the colors are going to turn into! Color's pretty impossible to determine for the first few months. When the hedgies quill, their color can change a bit.

[illinidairychic]

I've got a page on my website showing the development of hoglets. That should give you some idea what to expect. They grow so fast!! You're going to want to try to wait for your mother hog to get up before peeking in on the hoglets. You'll notice a color change in 3 to 5 days. Can't wait for some pictures when they are ready :)

[stacys_mommy]

Lc Congrats on your SUPRISE!!! Emma just wanted to make you nervous

[bloane]

Congrats on your babies. :) I have found that with my herd, average delivery date is 35-39 days from first day of breeding, with day 37-38 being prime target. You count their beginning due date from teh first day that the two were together, and your last due date from the last day they were together. My longest gestation was 53 days from the last day she was with the male.
Most baby hedgehogs are born pink, some with more of an overall purplish tinge. How long it takes for color to start to come in depends on the baby, I have seen some babies that were already grey skinned within an hour or so after birth. Experienced breeders can often tell the difference in "shades" of pink even at birth, and have a pretty good idea if the baby is going to be A.) albino, B.) light cotty, C.) dark cotty, or D.) standard range.
Becca

[Lc51290]

Hey!
I have all these great picture of Emma and the babies on my Kodak EasyShare. Does anyone know how to put them as thumbnails?
Thanks!
Lc