No, do not change his schedule. Hedgehogs are nocturnal by nature and it really isn't healthy to try to change them.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night. They also make sure to hide themselves away in their nest when they're resting, to avoid disturbance and predation. For these reasons, sleeping and resting aren't behaviours we're likely to see a lot in the garden!
Hedgehogs Are Primarily Nocturnal
Crepuscular animals or species are active during the twilight hours, around dusk or dawn, when the light provides them with excellent protection. Crepuscular creatures are different from diurnal and nocturnal animals that are busy day and night.
Routinely we expect to see hedgehogs come out in the evening around 9.30pm and go back to bed by 5am. Hedgehog living in the garden where there is food will often come out when the food arrives as they hear the clink of a bowl or the munching of another hedgehogs with their acute hearing and come out immediately.
Hedgehogs will most probably not be awake until the sun has set and the daylight is out, most of the time during the evenings. It is quite common for most hedgehogs to be sleeping between 18 to 20 hours a day.
It reports that hedgehogs are among the loudest nocturnal animals, competing with cicadas, frogs and the caridean snapping shrimp.
Hedgehogs are active during the night, so the best time to put out food is just after dusk, when they are starting to search for food. The Autumn and Winter months are the most important for them to find food to put on enough weight before hibernation, so always make sure you put out food at this time of year.
Night manoeuvres
Like bats, hedgehogs avoid artificial lighting, keeping to less well-lit areas, and this could affect other behaviours.
Hedgehogs are, by nature, nocturnal, but that does not necessarily mean that they should not be awakened for bonding or playtime during the day. Some hedgehog owners have found that their hedgehogs have a particular time when they wake up in a better mood than other times.
Dr. Keller says, “With appropriate care and keeping, your hedgehog will live about five years, and some even live longer than eight years.” If you have any questions about hedgehogs, contact your local veterinarian.
Like many pocket pets, hedgehogs love to explore mazes and tunnels. This will keep Hedgie active, and offer him mental stimulation. You can buy labyrinths, or make your own out of shoeboxes or PVC pipe. To make your pet's explorations even more fun for him, hide a snack at the end of the tunnel.
A hibernating hedgehog will be completely rolled up into a tight ball with no face visible. You can tell that the hedgehog is hibernating and not dead by the fact that it will 'ripple' when touched very gently. It may also emit a little 'snore'!
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, which means they shouldn't really be seen out in daylight hours. Some of the exceptions to this are pregnant females gathering nesting materials just before she gives birth, or a new 'Mum' taking a break from the nest to get food and water while her young sleep.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal and usually sleep during the daytime. Pregnant or nursing mothers may need to be out during the day. Otherwise, if you see hedgehogs in daytime they are probably injured or ill.
Hedgehogs naturally seek out a hiding place when they sleep. They prefer a place that gives them a sense of security, so they find a covered shelter to sleep in. This enclosed area will also give them somewhere to escape to if things around their cage get too loud.
Apparently hedgehogs spend hours each night running miles and miles on their wheels. With this in mind, one Colorado Springs resident made an odometer, measured his pet's wheel rotations, and now runs a club for hedgehog owners to keep track of how far their prickly friends run each week.
Handling Frequency
Pet hedgehogs do best if handled every day, even if it is for just a short amount of time. We recommend handling your hedgehog for at least half an hour a day. The easiest way to accomplish this task is 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening.
It's a good idea to put out food for hedgehogs all year round. In spring, it will be a boost for those emerging from hibernation, while in late summer and autumn it will help hogs build up those all-important fat reserves to survive the winter.
You can encourage hedgehogs into your garden by providing food and fresh water. Tips for leaving out food and water: Leave out foods like tinned dog or cat food and crushed cat or dog biscuits. Supply good quality, meaty hedgehog food from wildlife food suppliers.
But this doesn't mean that they have excellent night vision. In fact, it turns out that the hedgehog's eyesight is pretty poor both day and night. It's thought that this is because of the environment they live in.
Access between gardens is critical for hedgehogs
Hedgehogs can roam an average distance of 2km on a single night. Male hedgehogs in the breeding season can cover up to 3km in one night in their search of females!
The cage should be large enough to allow the hedgehog to move around. At least 2 x 3 feet (61 x 91cm) should be the minimum floor space provided. Walls must be high enough to prevent escape, as hedgehogs are good climbers. A glass aquarium or smooth-sided cage is a reasonable choice for many owners.