I have just got 2 pygmy hedgehogs from an owner who didn't want them. They arrived on Monday. One of them is great, very lively and sociable but the other one hardly ever comes out of the shelter and when she does, she just gos into a ball and quivers. I've seen no sign of her relaxing, though I've held her on my knee for half hour thinking she might open up. No luck. Any ideas, starting to think she might be ill? Put her back into cage and she eventually (very slowly) opens up and skuttles back inside. Shes just so different from the other one, its worrying me.

That can be normal hedgehog behavior-especially for a hedgehog who is in an unfamiliar environment. If she is eating, drinking, and otherwise healthy she is probably just scared of being in a new place. If you read some of the articles like My hedgehog hates me it should help explain the difference in behavior.

http://www.hedgehogworld.com/content/category/4/72/42/

Thanks for reply. If I knew she was eating I would relax a bit, but as there are two of them its hard to tell. I put out a handful of dried catfood and water (recommended by previous owner) each morning and about half of it gos. I'm not familiar with hedgehog appetites so don't know if this would be 1 hedgehog or 2. There have been a few droppings in the cage so someone is eating! I read the "my hedgehog hates me" article, but I would say its more like "my hedgehog is terrified of me"! It seems like pure anxiety, she dosn't hiss or puff, just rapid breathing. but I just want to know shes OK, I know it takes time and effort to make friends with some of the more shy hedgehogs, but don't know where to start. As she never uncurls I can't get a good look to see if any problems.

Could you try seperating the hedgies, at least temporarily, to see if both are eating and pooping?

It may take some time for this hedgie to warm up to you. I have a few suggestions to help with the bonding experience. First, get a fleece blankie (or get two, one for each hedgie) and keep one specifically for the shy hedgie. When you have the shy hedgie on your lap, always keep her on her blankie so it becomes familiar to her. Then, when she is on your lap, cover her up with part of the blankie so she feels safer. Have on hand some treats--my hedgies love white meat turkey and chicken--and feed very small amounts to the shy hedgie (pea size). You can put the treat near her when she is covered up and hopefully she will eat some. Do this each time as it takes some hedgies time to learn to accept treats (my one re-home hedgie did not take treats from me for a month or so and I think he did not even comprehend what a treat was LOL).

On your lap, the shy hedgie will be able to smell and hear you and will begin to become familiar with the 'routine' of being on your lap, covered up on the same blankie and getting treats. Hopefully she will begin to relax but remember that it does take time. My re-home did not become comfortable with me for months; he would have what I would call PTSD fits of huffing/popping and would get very agitated. Now we are best buddies but it took consistent, daily contact and developing a routine. In my hedgies case, I think he was horribly homesick as he was loved by his former owners and had to be rehomed due to deployment.

Good luck!

Andrea

Thanks Andrea, I will definitely try the fleece thing sounds like a good idea for both of them. On the positive side, she seemed to relax a little last night - didn't open up completely but definitely poked her head out and had a good sniff about. Her breathing was in line with the not-so-shy hedgie who after a scout around zonked out on my lap. None of the rapid breathing she had been doing. Even better all the food was gone this morning. Although I can't tell if both are eating or only one, previously only half the food has been eaten. Not sure how I would monitor this unless I separate them as suggested by previous post. I don't want to try this yet as obviously they've been together since babies.

I'll keep trying! Can't believe how cute they are!

Anyone got any ideas on how to make sure they get enough exercise? I want to set up a kind of run on the floor so they can get to move about a bit more. Are there any good ones out there or do you make your own? Also ideas on what kind of toys they might like.

PS won't take treats either, been offering dried mealworms but must admit I'd prefer the chicken to!

Well, dont give up on the treats yet LOL. Sometimes it takes presenting a treat over and over for a hedgie to eat it. You may want to try either white meat turkey or chicken, about the size of a pea. I have had luck with both hedgies with this.

As far as exercise, I have a children's play pool that I use. You can buy this in the summer time at walmart or target. This wont help you now but something to think about

Andrea