No Disco Inferno

Hedgie had an odd night. Well, odd for him in his almost first week with us. Before we went to bed he dumped his water bowl onto his food bowl and was walking around his cage very upset. He was quiet last night compared to the previous few. When we got up today his cage wasnt destroyed. There was no poop strewn about. Upon closer inspection and working around a VERY huffy hedgehog he kept the majority of his poopies in his house. Breighton noticed more spines on the fleece liner. He counted almost 30! That is the most Hedgie has lost in a night yet. Usually it is 3-4 at most that we find.

We read online that when hedgehogs quill they can be a pill! Well, Hedgie seems to fit this catagory this morning. Tonight’s holding session will have to be extra super fun for him. Maybe some new treats. We need to trim his nails and we think we know how we just have to get Hedgie to cooperate!

So quilling hedgehogs are grumpy!

Self-anointing is a strange behavior. Hedgie has only done this one. We are going to feed him a strawberry or banana tonight and see if he does it again!

Slime Coating?

We read about hedgehog slime coating but had no clue until Hedgie tried to coat himself today. In the below photo you can see little bubbles of white.

Breighton is getting more comfy day by day.

Hedgie has some killer blue eyes.

We love when he plays peek a boo! His “visor” is so pretty.

Hedgie is letting us pet him more and more.

Even Emmerson is getting in on the action.

Breighton’s required 30 minutes of holding is up. We did a little floor time.

What could be cuter than the hedgehog? His little feet! He shared his back feet today.

Sir Hedgington

Hedgie didn’t throw any parties today. We shall see what night brings.

Today Laurie worked with Hedgie on his back a little more. He was much more receptive today.

Almost a hello?

Hedgie saying STOP with the darn flash persons!

Trying to unroll.

Almost there…

Victory! Followed by lots of huffing. Hedgehogs HUFF!

Time for play with the Laurie.

Hedgie the hedgehog actually started purring? He was super relaxed and purred a few mintues then fell asleep in my hand.

Snack break!

Habitat all prepped for Hedgie’s evening party!

We still need to do more research on litter traning. It is a bit hard with the small litter pan. Maybe it will work with a large one better? Also, we have seen videos of people clipping their hedgehogs nails. We want to figure out how to get Hedgie comfy enough to allow at to happen!

Hedgie Bath and Play

Hedgie had a fantastic day. After reading many blogs, articles and whatnots it was determined that Breighton should start by holding Hedgie on a towel or fleece cloth until he is a bit more comfy. Hedgie like this idea greatly and really opened up tonight.

Hedgie actually was SO calm he let us pet him very gently.

Hedgie has been a bit icky since his car throw up and pooping in his house while traveling. We decided tonight was a good night for a bath. Of course like any baby he made a little dropping on the sink. Don’t worry Grandma Jo and Grandpa Howie we washed the sink and sanitized well when we finsihed.

After hos quick rinse we dryed him the best we cold and he really perked up!

One happy kiddo with his hedgehog. B wanted to hold hold and hold some more. The clothes really helped him overcome his fear of the spines/quills. B collected about 10 spines/quills tonight to put into his Hedgie Quill Pottery he made at City Museum in Missouri. We will take a photo of that tomorrow.

Grandma Jo even held Hedgie.

Mommy tried to get Hedgie to peak and lay on his back. No luck with this yet. No nipping today. The closer to dark outside the less he seems to nip.

We boughg some remnant no pill fleece today. It makes a nicer liner than the towel we were using. We will have to make some for his mansion when we get back to Florida. Daddy is busy coordinating the new cage while we are out of town. Thanks Daddy!

Hedgie loves his house and his tube. He will need a bigger tube before long as he barely makes it through now. We need to weigh Hedgie soon too.

Learning a lot. Loving him greatly. Glad to see the boy (Breighton) smiling more instead or wincing in pain and fear.

Hedgie Update

Well, Hedgie safely made it to North Carolina. Only a tiny bit of car sickness. He was not a happy hedgie upon arrival and has taken to nipping and biting when being held. We left him alone to relax and not feel the motion of the car. Aftet a few hours of downtime and getting used to the different smells we did our late evening Hedgie holding. Hedgie nipped Breighton pretty hard but B was a super trooper and only cried after Mom took Hedgie for a minute.

things to google: hedgehog biting, hedgehog litter training, hedgehogs in space

Circus Act Hedgie

Hedgie exploring his tube

Hedgie snacking

Sorry the photos arent great but they were taken through his current container.

We have a hedgehog?

We are proud to announce the newest addition to our home… Hedgie!

We are all really nervous to hold him.

He is starting to warm up a bit.

Breighton attempting his first hold on a towel. He is very shy and balls up and his pokies come out. They hurt a little.

Mom got brave first.

Then Dad. Hedgie started to get more brave as well.

Finally I was able to hold him without getting scared. The pokes hurt a little but not too bad since he didnt go full on ball.

I love Hedgie so very much!

Welcome Hedgie

We got thos lovely email from Breighton at camp. Mind you, Breighton has never emailed home…ever… from camp.

Dear Mom,
Can we adopt a hedghog? Because we can adopt different animals here at camp.

There was a follow-up email to Dad as well.

After a phone call to camp to make sure this is a valid adoptable pet… we said yes!

This is where our adventure begins… Life with Hedgie.

Hedgie is apx 7 weeks old and weighs around 4oz. We will get a better weight soon. He is an African Pygmy hedgehog. He is pinto colored. Full grown he can be around 1 pound.