Sometimes they just like to sleep in new places lol. On the bright side, it means your hedgie feels safe and comfortable enough to sleep out in the open. If you are worried, and keep worrying, it's worth getting a general health checkup at the vet.
During the day, and during winter hibernation, the hedgehog will sleep in a specially built nest in thick undergrowth, under a shed, in piles of leaves or unlit bonfires. It will never sleep or hibernate outside a nest.
Seeing a hedgehog during full daylight is often a sign that they are ill, injured, or needs help.
Hedgehogs only curl up when cold, hibernating or frightened. They sleep in the same positions as dogs; on their side or tummy, and dream just like them too. If your feeder is safe and dry and has water, your visiting hog may choose to save energy and nap while digesting his meal.
Heatstroke can cause hedgehogs to lay out during the day, this is of course not normal being nocturnal. They become very dehydrated and will often lay on their belly with their legs hanging out the sides. If they are laying on their sides then it is very serious.
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.
Hibernation is not like sleeping. The hedgehog won't be roused by touch or by noise. Hibernation is a state of torpor, where the core body temperature has dropped, the heart rate and breathing have slowed right down and normal activity has stopped.
Some things your pet may enjoy include balls, small cars and trucks, and stuffed animals. You can also offer him DIY toys. For instance, the cardboard tubes from toilet-paper rolls make great chew toys. (It's probably worth noting that hedgehogs seem to prefer bright colors.)
Your hedgehog is relaxed when its quills are laid down and it is moving about without flinching every time you move. Certain sounds may still scare a relaxed hedgehog. Allow your hedgehog to use you as a human mountain. Let it climb on you and explore you.
Things you can look out for are: Does its skin spring back when you pull up a couple of spines? If the skin appears to stay in place, the hedgehog could be dehydrated. Ensure the hedgehog has access to plenty of water if you suspect dehydration.
A well-socialized hedgehog is friendly and welcomes interaction from her owner. If your happy-go-lucky pet turns into a growling bundle of huffiness overnight and refuses to uncurl, something may be wrong. Constant hissing or grumbling are also signs she could be in pain or distressed.
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.
The answer is YES… as long as it's being eaten. It's difficult to tell exactly when hedgehogs will begin hibernation, so when you start to see that food is not being taken, you can stop putting so much out and perhaps just offer a few dry cat biscuits that don't go off so quickly.
Since hedgehogs are solitary animals, they will not get depressed or angry if you do not have loads of time to spend with them. It is important, however, to get your hedgehog out every day to be sure he is not ill or injured.
Hedgehogs require a moderate amount of maintenance, primarily in keeping their environment clean. But their feeding is fairly straightforward, and they don't require a lot of attention.
Handling Frequency
We recommend handling your hedgehog for at least half an hour a day.
Don't let your hedgie get cold!
Hibernation is actually dangerous for African Pygmy hedgehogs. It slows their metabolism down, leaving them susceptible to infections, dehydration and starvation. It's important to keep your hedgehog in an environment between 72 and 80 degrees.
When do hedgehogs go into hibernation? Any time from late September to late November is typical, but there are no fixed dates. We think the trigger to hibernate is a complex interaction of temperature, light levels (specifically the ratio of light:dark hours), food availability and body condition.
Please leave a hibernating hedgehog alone unless absolutely necessary. If you do disturb a nest accidentally, cover the hedgehog back up with leaves and retreat.
Signs of stress
The stressed hedgehog may also twitch or shake its head nervously. It is almost as if the hedgehog is saying “Sensory overload. I can't take it anymore.” The hedgehog might give you a warning bite if the first two signs are overlooked.
What are some of the common diseases of pet hedgehogs? Common conditions of pet hedgehogs include internal and external parasites, ringworm, cancer, pneumonia, gastrointestinal disease, and obesity.