Hedgehogs are not typically aggressive towards people. They are somewhat anti-social and are generally happy to be left alone. However, they will typically “ball up” if people get too close, rather than bite or attack.
They also take a while to warm up to social interactions, which means you'll have to be patient—and very gentle—as your hedgehog gets used to living with you in your home. Hedgehogs aren't known to be aggressive, but they do have some defense mechanisms that might come into play when they feel threatened.
Hedgehogs can bite you, but very rarely will that happen. This usually happens when they are young and think your fingers are going to feed them (if they have been fed via a syringe as they had no mother).
Defensive Adaptations and Hibernation
Hedgehogs have a coat of stiff, sharp spines. If attacked they will curl into a prickly and unappetizing ball that deters most predators. They usually sleep in this position during the day and awaken to search for food at night.
Hedgehogs have home ranges they like to keep to, but are not territorial so will not fight to defend these areas. However, when it comes to sharing the same food bowl on your patio, or vying for the attention of a local female 'hog, you can definitely get some pushing and shoving between males.
Hissing like a Snake
Keep your distance from a hissing hedgehog, just like you would from a hissing snake. When a hedgehog hisses, it means he is really annoyed and wants you, other hogs or other animals to clear off.
Although hedgehogs do bite, their tiny teeth are unlikely to cause you very much pain. The force of a hedgehog bite is typically linked to what your pet is feeling. An angry hedgehog could cause a bite that hurts a bit.
They must remain apart, however, as they cannot avoid hurting one another with their sharp spines. Though they all share the intention of a close reciprocal relationship, this may not occur, for reasons they cannot avoid.
Even though the hedgehog will naturally 'ball up' at any hint of danger, many dogs will still pick them up or paw them causing injury and untold stress. When the spikes hit home in a dog's mouth, many will have a natural instinct to bite harder which very often proves fatal for our little hedge-dwelling friend.
Bring the hedgehog indoors, place it on a towel-wrapped hot water bottle in a cardboard box. When it is brighter, offer some dog food and water. If the hedgehog does not respond, then take it to your local wildlife rescue centre.
Hedgehogs can be handled (they are not too prickly), although some patience is required to make sure your hedgehog is both safe and comfortable in your hands.
It depends on the personality of the individual hedgehog and how much handling the hedgehog has had in the past. Some hedgehogs do seem to like to snuggle up to their human companions, while others might be shyer or simply prefer exploring and moving about over sitting still and cuddling.
Every hedgehog has a unique personality, but most aren't interested in human affection. Caretakers note that it takes a lot of time and effort to get a hedgehog to tolerate being held. Like porcupines, hedgehogs have sharp, prickly quills that they use to fend off predators.
Places some hedgehogs like to be scratched include: their ears, chin, along the edge of their quill line or skirt, belly fur or feet. protective of its feet.
According to Brehm, a hedgehog can coexist with cats and dogs, but won't typically make friends with them, and it's a good idea to monitor any interaction between your pet hedgehog and another animal. It's also best to keep your hedgehog away from other small exotic pets, for the safety of both animals.
Their quills become more spread out, ready to do harm if required. Since the quills are more spread, they will become sharper to the touch. Though the quills should not break through your skin, they could be more painful to touch. Some owners describe the feeling as touching a bunch of toothpicks.
Tea Tree oil/ Eucalyptus/Thieves - this includes: tea tree shampoo, tea tree oil, tea tree sprays and anything tea tree. Even Candles inhaled can harm your hedgehog!
With their keen sense of smell, dogs often detect hedgehogs before we humans spot them. Sadly some dogs can harm or even kill hedgehogs, when instinct tells them to hunt prey. Try to keep dogs away from any hedgehogs in your garden as an encounter could lead to both animals being hurt.
Some hedgehogs will bond to their owners for life (HHC). Bonding does require effort, persistence, and an understanding of hedgehogs. Many hedgehogs don't like to be petted by just anyone until they are completely comfortable with their environment. This is especially important when a hedgehog goes to a new home.
Perhaps the biggest myth of all is that a hedgehog can shoot its quills! Can you shoot the hair out of your head? Just like your hair, a hedgehog's quills can fall out or break off, but the hedgehog cannot shoot its quills to defend itself. In Europe, people consider hedgehogs to be friends of backyards and gardens.
Hedgehogs Are Solitary by Nature
1 If hedgehogs do not get along, they will fight, sometimes inflicting serious damage to one another. For these reasons, it is generally best to stick with one hedgehog per cage.
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.
The most common reason that hedgehogs bite is because there is something on your hands that smells yummy and they want a taste. In this case, they will often lick first and the bite is more of a nip.
Hedgehogs can show their displeasure by pouting and biting. This type of biting isn't out of meanness or aggression, but rather their frustration for not getting their way. The best response is to simply reestablish the routine and spend extra cuddle time with your hedgehog.