Slowly scoop your hedgehog up from both sides using flat palms. If you use loose bedding feel free to scoop a generous amount of bedding along with your hedgehog to provide some cushioning to your hands. You can also use a small piece of fleece or thick fabric to gently pick your hedgehog up with.
Step 2: Slide both your palms together from under each side of your hedgehog just like how you cup your palms together to wash your face. Step 3: Once the hedgehog is on top of your palms gently lift it up. Hedgehog's quills or spikes are on top of their body while underneath them is their soft and furry bellies.
Cup your hands and lift your hedgehog up while they are cradled in your hands. Keep your fingers together, and out of the way of your hedgehog's belly in case they decide to roll into a ball (a finger trapped in the middle of a balled up hedgehog is not fun). Your hedgehog may huff or roll into a ball.
Generally, any hedgehog out during the day is probably in trouble and will need to be picked up and taken to a wildlife rescue centre. You can pick them up using gardening gloves and put them into a cardboard box, although they are good climbers, so you would need to ensure it cannot escape.
Hedgehogs can be a fun and low-maintenance pet for your household, but they do need some special care. They have sharp quills that can make handling difficult. Consistent and proper daily handling will help them relax and feel comfortable with you.
One of the most important ways to bond with your hedgehog is to spend time handling them - we recommend at least once a day in a relaxed setting for 20-30 minutes. This is the bare minimum time you should spend handling and engaging with your hedgehog each day. As with any relationship, time invested matters.
The quills tend to lay down flat along the back and sides of the hedgehog, all pointing towards their rear end, so as long as you don't push against the sharp tips of the quills (pet them backwards) they pose no problems or chance of being poked.
Hedgehogs are covered with sharp spines. When frightened, they curl up in a prickly ball. During the day, they sleep like this so they are safe.
First lift your hedgie from above or the side. You can use either your bare hands or a towel. I suggest using a towel because hedgie's quills will be directly on your hand.
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.
Are hedgehogs aggressive towards people? 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.
It is best to pick him up gently with two cupped hands from underneath where his fur is soft. They sometimes roll into a ball when picked up, but if you hold him and are patient, he will unroll and sniff around.
The average hedgehog is content to do its own thing and may not show any outward sign that it cares about its owner's existence unless you have a treat in your hand. Despite their somewhat solitary nature, they can become very affectionate with their owners and will even enjoy snuggling on your lap.
Encourage the bonding process
The first two weeks with your hedgehog are the most important in shaping your new companion's personality and how they will react around you! Once home, you may notice a temporary personality change from when you picked out your hedgie, and this is completely normal.
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.
Hedgehogs may bite as a way to communicate if they are tired, stressed, or uncomfortable. Hedgehogs that are quilling may bite because they are uncomfortable. Some hedgehogs don't like nail polish and will bite polished nails but they will stop biting when the polish is removed.
However, you should try to use gloves when handling a hedgehog for your own health and safety. 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).
When a hedgehog hisses, it means he is really annoyed and wants you, other hogs or other animals to clear off. Hedgehogs will often make the hissing noise if their nest is disturbed or if they are cornered or approached by a predator.
Press the sides of your hands together, then lift your hedgehog. If you're having trouble picking your hedgehog up, use the side of its cage to roll it into your hands. Don't let your fingers meet in the middle of your hedgehog's belly or you'll get pricked if it rolls into a ball.
A hedgehog's go-to vocal is huffing and puffing, but he's not trying to blow the house down. This sniffing is a normal vocalization he makes while going about his business of exploring. An unhappy hedgehog, on the other hand, will show his disdain with a hiss or a clicking sound.
Hedgehogs are sensitive to temperature changes. The ideal range is between 75°F and 85°F. However, they will tolerate temperatures between 72°F and 90°F. Hedgehogs can go into a hibernation-like state of inactivity when temperatures are too hot or too cold.