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.
Hedgehogs Need Their Beauty Rest
Hedgehogs are mostly nocturnal, meaning they're awake at night. But they aren't awake for long, though. Hedgehogs can sleep for up to 18 hours per day! Hedgehogs are also true hibernators.
Hedgehogs sleep away 95% of the day and night. Don't worry, this is perfectly normal.
Though hedgehogs are mainly nocturnal there are times when they can come out during daylight hours. Pregnant females building nests can sometimes be seen during the daytime bustling about with mouthfuls of leave. And nursing mothers may take a break from the nest during the day to go and look for food and water.
Aside from health issues, one reason a hedgehog might stop running is if they are overweight. It's more difficult to run with added weight. And some hedgies will give up their night-time jogging routine. It's also possible for a hedgehog to stop running out of boredom.
It is quite common for most hedgehogs to be sleeping between 18 to 20 hours a day. For the little ones, they are able to sleep for more than 20 hours a day, hence it is important to wake your baby hedgehogs up for playtime if it has been sleeping for most of the time.
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.
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.
So if you're hedgehog is curled up in a ball and gives a little ripple or shudder when you touch it, as well as maybe a little snore, it is most likely hibernating, not dead.
Hedgehogs are very active animals; they seem to constantly run around when not sleeping. Being nocturnal, they are most active at night. They are skilled climbers and diggers and are good swimmers. Hedgehogs can be let out of their cage to explore in a large supervised, secure room.
Hedgehogs need 12-14 hours of consistent light each day. Without a consistent schedule, your hedgehog may become disoriented, attempt hibernation, and have a lower immune system leading to health problems.
Hedgehogs are definitely more active at night than they are during the day. During the day, they like to do most of their sleeping. And at night they like to do most of their playing, AND rearranging of their cage.
Annointing. If an African Pygmy Hedgehog comes across a new taste or pungent smell it may trigger an odd behaviour known as annointing. This is where they froth at the mouth and then lick this frothy saliva all across their back.
For such little animals, hedgehogs can make one heck of a racket! And like the very worst noisy neighbours, they generally get started in the garden at night. When you are tucked up in bed, trying to get some sleep. Grunting and snuffling, like a pig = hedgehog out and about, looking for food.
All animals require time and commitment and a pet should never be purchased on a whim. I'm happy to report, though, that hedgehogs ARE a low maintenance pet. Expect to spend about fifteen minutes to a half hour per week cleaning your hedgehogs' cage, food bowl, water bottle, wheel and other toys.
That rest is often through the first and last part of the night but can also be in the day time. Routinely we expect to see hedgehogs come out in the evening around 9.30pm and go back to bed by 5am.
Hedgehogs are mostly awake in the early morning and evening. When awake, they are very active and it's fun to watch them dig, go through tubes, push toys around and run on their exercise wheel. They should get at least an hour every evening out of their cage to explore.
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.
Waking up a hibernating hedgehog is also a specialist task, so please do not try this yourself. You will kill the hedgehog if you try to warm it up quickly. It can take several days. The best advice is not to disturb a hedgehog in hibernation.