Andrea
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Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde? - 2008/03/24 18:28
I have noticed something with Spikey and I dont know if this is the norm. In the late afternoon or evening, if I pick Spikey up and put him on my lap or in my arms or even in the baby pool that we got (like the one Stasi has) Spikey is really not that active. He is definately more of a snuggler and/or sleeper hedgie. He may walk around a bit and explore and even snack on treats (kibbles) but this out of cage time ends with him snuggling down or curling up--looking very relaxed and comfortable and at peace.
("roll tape of spooky, mystery music").....and then comes Spikey's alter ego in the early morning. When I do out of cage time in the morning, Spikey is a real maniac (a cute one, though, but still a maniac). He is forcefully trying to burrow or dig wherever he can and he does not let much stop him--I mean really forceful, he tried to climb up my front this morning and it was hard to deter him, he does tubing galore and it looks quite aggressive and even bites and throws the tubes (but maybe this is the norm, a lot of gusto?), he is all over the place in terms of trying to run or climb or dig or burrow. YIKES!
I like spending time in the morning with him (i.e. 6am) and also in the later evening (like 8-9pm). I leave him alone to sleep the rest of the day and sometimes will feed him a few kibbles in his hedgie bag around 6pm. My morning and evening visits are about 30 minutes each or one hour total (which is what I saw on this board).
Any thoughts? Should I be doing things differently?
Andrea
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omelette
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Re:Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde? - 2008/03/24 18:39
it sounds like you're doing everything just fine! one question though, in the evening when you take him out is he still sleeping? and in the morning is he already awake? sometimes when i take Omelette out in the afternoon, she's still rather sleepy. so she's relatively calm. she finds a nice spot to hide and go back to sleep. but if i take her out once she's already awake, she goes nuts. she likes to run around and explore. i can't keep her still! so that may have something to do with Spikey's "split personality". in any case, don't let it stop you from taking him out in the morning. have fun enjoying all of his crazy antics!
Lisa
My Heart Belongs to:
Teddy, Sugar, Sapphie, Fudge, Archie, Chuckie - The Yorkies
Emery (Black), Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats
Omelette - Hedgehog
Jack - Guinea Pig
Artex - Hamster
Lesley - Hermit Crab
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LORI611
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Re:Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde? - 2008/03/25 13:06
Yeah sounds like a case of her not being ready to wake up at night, and being rarin' to go in the morning , you know she hadn't settled down for her daytime snoozin' yet!!
LORI, SOUTHINGTON, CT
Mom of:
Chloe(dog), Mr.Toad(frog) and Hazel the hedgie!! |
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Hedgehogmadhatter
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Re:Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde? - 2008/03/25 16:32
It sounds like things are normal. If you want him to be more active at night you can try getting him up later, giving him more time to sleep. But you just got him and he is still adjusting to you so I would keep doing what you are already doing and he'll get used to it.
Young hedgehogs are like puppies, they have huge bursts of insane energy then fall over for a nap. I got Harley back in Dec and he was like a little streak of lightening! Spikey sounds good and healthy! 
~Sara
“The fox has many tricks, and the hedgehog only one, but that is the best of all”
Archilochus (Greek lyric poet and soldier, 675-635bc)
There's no love like HEDGEHOG love!
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Andrea
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Re:Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde? - 2008/03/25 20:39
I guess why the intense morning energy concerned me is because it almost seems like it is more energy than I am able to contain i.e. I am afraid Spikey will take a flying leap or overpower me in some way, which seems silly since who is the bigger animal in this equation LOL. But he seems very intense and almost fierce in his determination.
The last day and a half he has been more huffy and I think he is in pout mode because I changed his hedgie bag. He does not seem to like it when I change his hedgie bag for a clean one (I have two that I alternate) But it was definately time to change bags. Oh well, I picked him up anyway and I let him explore in my lap and then I put him back in his home.
We are definately slowly getting to know each other.
Andrea
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Andrea
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Re:Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde? - 2008/03/27 10:28
Hi everybody:
I think I found the root of Spikey's huffiness over the past few days. In looking at him closely yesterday, I noticed a lot of new quills coming in. So he is probably uncomfortable. I am going to try to do my first bath with the Aveeno tonight.
I also think Spikey is more of a 'runner' type than a snuggly type of hedgehog. He is so active now when I bring him out of his cage. And he is not giving me any indication he is in distress--in fact, he is exploring with a lot of gusto! So I think this may be what he is growing in to being.
I continue to improve on the picking him up without nervousness. He still sniffs intensely (and even makes small snorting sounds but his quills are down and he is in curious mode) whenever he is out with me.
Thank you all again for your feedback and encouragement.
Andrea
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Hedgehogmadhatter
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Re:Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde? - 2008/03/27 10:29
Andrea wrote:
I guess why the intense morning energy concerned me is because it almost seems like it is more energy than I am able to contain i.e. I am afraid Spikey will take a flying leap or overpower me in some way, which seems silly since who is the bigger animal in this equation LOL. But he seems very intense and almost fierce in his determination.
The last day and a half he has been more huffy and I think he is in pout mode because I changed his hedgie bag. He does not seem to like it when I change his hedgie bag for a clean one (I have two that I alternate) But it was definately time to change bags. Oh well, I picked him up anyway and I let him explore in my lap and then I put him back in his home.
We are definately slowly getting to know each other.
Andrea
Well to be honest a young hedgehog has TONS of energy and will do just what you are afraid of. Harley took a running leap and jumped out of my hands the week I got him. He was so fast he ran right through my fingers. He landed on a pillow and his little feet were already running when the hit the ground!
Just do your best to keep up with him, know that he will calm down some as he grows. Also hedgehogs are a bit sturdier than they look! Thank goodness for that!
Harley running rickshaw over my Mom.
She KNOWS how to handle a hedgehog and only held him for two minutes. He managed to run all over her and tried to jump down four times!
~Sara
Post edited by: Hedgehogmadhatter, at: 2008/03/27 10:31
“The fox has many tricks, and the hedgehog only one, but that is the best of all”
Archilochus (Greek lyric poet and soldier, 675-635bc)
There's no love like HEDGEHOG love!
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Andrea
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Re:Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde? - 2008/03/27 10:46
Sara--you are so right. Spikey is very fast and very curious. Yesterday it seemed like he was aiming to take a leap from my side towards my back! He kept going to the edge and preening around to look towards my back, all the while I am urging him back towards the center of my lap. Repeat.
Tonight I think I will put him either on my lap and hedgie proof the couch while I watch LOST so he can explore at will (with supervision of course) or I will put him in the baby pool I bought as a playpen.
Your hedgie is so cute! I love the picture. I am going to try to get some pictures; every time I have tried Spikey moves and all I get is a big blur.
Andrea
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