Question?

[firefly]

My hedgie sleeps all day long and I know that is normal, but when I get her out to play all she wants to do is get under the covers and sleep. Is this a baby hedgie thing? I know she is still getting used to me, but I don't know what to do with her when I get her out to play. Should she be interested in things more? Also, what are some good toys that she might like?

Firefly

[Ododad]

Hedgehogs usually sleep a lot anyway and for babies it's quite normal for them to sleep even more. You'll have to let her little personality develop to see if she will be the playful type.
I would suggest that when you have her out for playtime just give her some room and let her get to know her surroundings in her own way. Hedgehogs are by nature curious about everything going on around them. Give her time. She will develop in her own way and you will be able to learn about her as she learns about you. Plenty of loving during this stage is important. Although their eyesight is not the greatest, they have a very highly developed sense of smell and very accurate hearing. Talk to her whenever your around her. She will learn that your smell and the sound of your voice means that all is right in the world. Patience is the key. Treats always help too but of course in moderation. Please keep in mind that each hedgehog has it's own personility. It's own likes and dislikes. No two are the same. You have a very beautiful little girl there and I can tell by your postings that you love her very much already. I forsee years of friendship between you two.
As for toys, it seems that the favorites of my gang are the TP tubes, different size cardboard boxes, a PVC 4" piece of plumbing pipe, kitten balls with the bell inside, dirty underwear and dirty socks. I also made a "swing" for them that they seem to really like. They will go in one end of it and then let the pipe fall down and scurry out the other end to run around and do it all over again. I'm posting a photo of the swing. It's easily made with material available at any hardware store.
Their play area is usually a lot bigger than this. They have an entire room all to themself for freedom time. I didn't want to turn on the light for the photo's so I made a small area to show you some of the boxes that they love to play with.

[Nancy]

Hey Billy, that teeter totter idea is a good idea. We had one for the rats but I never thought of using it for the hedgies. :)
*Nancy runs to look for teeter totter*

[Ododad]

Frodo used to go through it with a short tube on her head. She loved that thing. Kahuna will balance in the middle and hide. You can tell he is in it when it's balanced and neither end is touching the ground. Marco avoids it and does Odo but Ruby will play with it too.
The best laugh I've ever had is watching Frodo go through it with a tube on her head. You can see the tube come out first, then the rest of her. I miss her so much.

[Boots]

How did you attach the tube to the stand, is it just a nut and bolt? It would have to be something blunt so the hedgie wouldn't scratch themself on the end of it I suppose.

[Ododad]

How did you attach the tube to the stand, is it just a nut and bolt? It would have to be something blunt so the hedgie wouldn't scratch themself on the end of it I suppose.

I used a stove bolt with the screw part inside the tube and a lock nut on the outside. Then, I took a roto-zip and ground off any sharp edges of the bolt. After that, I put some silicone on the outside of the lock nut for a cushion type effect.
Actually, I probably didn't have to go to that extreme. There are little rubber caps that will fit on the end of a bolt.

[firefly]

Thank you Ododad for your wonderful information!!! That swing tube is such a good idea! I think I'll have to get my grandpa to make me one! I appreciate all your help and the long post you wrote for me. Yes, I do love Snowball very much! :hearts: My grandma just can't get enough of her. She goes around showing pictures of her to everyone she knows...LoL I have learned just recently that she likes the inside of grapes, but not the outside.....hehe. And she also runs like a mad woman when the lights go out and she gets on her wheel :hamster: :laugh: I will continue to give her love and attention every day, and wait for her to get used to being here. :) Thank you again for your help.

Firefly

[keeja820]

helllo!
our hedgies LOVE the toilet paper tube (cut), really thats an understatement!
we have a cat ball with a bell inside that we give them as well, Kazz isnt too keen about it, he never leaves the TP tube alone, but Lily will investigate it now and then. Kazz has lil stuffies that he likes to "interact" with :p hehe
i like the teeter totter idea, you selling any of those Nancy? :D please let me know!

[Nancy]

i like the teeter totter idea, you selling any of those Nancy? :D please let me know!
Sure can make one. I'll let you know once I get it figured out. Still can't find ours. :dunno:

[keeja820]

Sure can make one. I'll let you know once I get it figured out. Still can't find ours. :dunno:

Sounds great Nancy! You rock :high5: