Darkest Maiden
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Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/11 16:18
Hello,
I'm guess you guys aren't quite experts with Egyptian Long-Eared hedgehogs as with African Pygmy hedgehogs, but I was hoping I could get some information on my new addition to my family.
I purchased an Egyptian Long-Eared hedgehog yesterday. I checked his feet and his ears and eyes for signs of good health. He is male and he is nine months old.
I read online that Egyptian Long-Eared hedgehogs tend to be more vicious than European or standard African Pygmys. I read their biting you means they are gaining more confidence with you, but still my little friend seems to be very very shy. I tried leaving a worn t-shirt of mine in his cage so he could get used to my scent but I don't think it's done much. Whenever I come near him he hides away instantly (crawls into a ball) and he refuses to show his face when I'm handling him.
Does anyone know how to get him to trust me more? I've been very gentle.
Another problem is that he is VERY sharp and spikey (makes me bleed if I don't use gloves) so it's a lot harder to handle him.
Can anybody offer me any tips?
Aswell - do these creatures like hamster wheels? What toys are they into?
Thank you very much for the help.
x
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Boden
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/11 16:45
 that's weird that biting means they're more confident with you..it usually means aggression and like "stay away from me!" in every animal I've ever had...*EVER* including fish...or you're just very tasty....
Also if it was only yesterday that you bought the little guy then he's definitely not adjusted to you - I've known fun loving dogs that would love a raging bull not adjust to their surrondings for a few days at the least...
Give it more time! In a couple weeks of constant handling and love he should be starting turn  ..hopefully
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Darkest Maiden
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/11 16:59
That's what I thought about the biting. But apparently their biting you means they're just taking a feel. My hedgehog lets me touch his face but he won't let me touch his back/spikes. He rolls up into a ball instantly. That's a bit odd isn't it? He's only bit me once and very lightly. I've been handling him regularly all day yesterday and today, I'd have thought he would have trusted me enough to open up on my lap. But he hasn't.
How long does it take for these creatures to trust you?
Does anyone know if this type of hedghog is less playful/affectionate?
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Boden
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/11 17:43
For opening up and trusting it is all dependent on the hog itself - my little guy, Baron, only took a few days to get comfortable enough to wander out of his sack and around me if it was dark and quiet out - however he absolutely detests my sister and will pop and hiss at her any time she's around. (...then again all my pets hate her...buuuut whatever)
As for Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog there isn't much information as to whether or not they're more or less affectionate then the everyday African one...I would assume, since there isn't much info on them, that they would be less domesticated then the African Pygmy Hedgie, so they would tend to be more feral, half wild if you will...but! Constant handling and devout attention can help in gaining your hedgie's trust and love
But then again it all depends on the hedgehog itself, as well as breeding lines who knows?
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CThogs
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/11 18:01
From the limited amount of reading I just did, it said in a couple of places that the Egyptian long eared is "more agressive" which may just mean they are more prone to bite as a defense. It also said they are less likely to roll into a ball but more likely to run from predators instead. He would probably love a wheel.
Just give it time and get to know his personality and likes and dislikes. That will be the best way to gain his trust and friendship.
Ann
Connecticut Hedgehogs
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Julie Pierce
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/11 19:06
Wow how did you find an egyptian long eared hedgehog? Where did you buy him? I am fascinated!!!!
Julie Pierce
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saabgirl9000
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/11 23:41
Julie Pierce wrote:
Wow how did you find an egyptian long eared hedgehog? Where did you buy him? I am fascinated!!!!
Yes where did you get him!????
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=106956777
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Darkest Maiden
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/12 15:21
Thanks for the replies, guys.
He was in a standard petshop just over the border in Spain here, he wasn't very expensive either. He seems to be very comfortable in his cage and he's still afraid of sudden movements. He doesn't run away, he just rolls in a ball. Mind you - when he does run, he runs fast.
Boden - perhaps your sister is wearing perfume that your pets do not like, the wrong scent tends to be a big warn-off for a lot creatures.
I'm trying to find a wheel large enough for him. I have a hamster wheel at home but it's too small for him to use. What else do hedgehogs play with?
Edit: I also think that the reason why I got a hold of an Egyptian hedgehog is because Africa is just opposite, accross the sea from here (Gibraltar) so I'm sure he was imported to Spain easily and cheaply.
Post edited by: Darkest Maiden, at: 2007/10/12 15:35
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Boden
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/12 16:09
No, they just don't like her
As for toys they enjoy certain cat toys (make sure loose threads and tags are cut so no little feet can get tangled), toilet paper tube that have been cut down one side, and just about anything else you can think of, again it's all dependent on the hedgies.
Any wheel between 11 inches (if your hedgie is on the small side) and 15 inches that has a solid, not wire rung or mesh, bottom will do perfectly for him.
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Julie Pierce
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/12 19:37
Wow a long eared hedgehog....I am so envious!!! That is just too cool! Please, Please post a pic for us to see! What did you name him/her?
Julie Pierce
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Darkest Maiden
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/13 09:00
Thanks, I'll try those toys. He's very small, only about 8-10 CM in length.
Here's a picture of him:
Sorry the camera's not very good quality.
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Julie Pierce
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/13 11:56
Oh he is soooo cute!!!!! I want one!!!!!
Julie Pierce
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CThogs
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/13 13:31
Thanks for the pic-he is adorable
Ann
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Darkest Maiden
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/14 08:23
You're welcome
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baaaad_kitty
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/15 08:59
gosh, he's so adorable!! 
Katherine Y
shoe obsessed philophy major who loooooves her birdies!
and Penelope the hedgie! |
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Kristyn
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2007/10/15 09:51
He is so cute. I love those big ears!
Kristyn (Tessie and Tabatha (a.k.a. Tabby))
Medford, MA
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Darkest Maiden
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2008/03/18 14:12
Hey guys I have now found a female of his kind. She is a lot smaller but she looks just like him. This female is surprisingly MUCH more social than the male, though. I guess my male might have been abducted from the wild.
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HappyHedgie8
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2008/03/18 15:02
It is probably that the girl you met was socialized since she was a baby, and she is used to humans being around her and holding her.
Just keep playing with your little boy! He is really cute! (and small too! )
**Mommy of Tweetle the hedgehog!**
~Felicia :] |
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jick
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2008/03/20 00:00
I bet any baby's you see will be the most adorablest things ever.. 
Check out Ham's Blog ! |
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LORI611
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2008/03/20 06:57
Where did you get them? Was it from a breeder?Do they behave like the African Pygmies?? (hedgehogs, not the real African Pygmies )
LORI, SOUTHINGTON, CT
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Chloe(dog), Mr.Toad(frog) and Hazel the hedgie!! |
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mschwindt
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2008/03/20 14:37
I really wish we could get those guys in the US. Goood for you. He's too cute for words.
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omelette
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Re:Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog - 2008/03/20 16:52
those long ears are absolutely adorable! i hope to see pics of baby long eared hedgies!
Lisa
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Emery (Black), Wendy (Siamese Mix), Echo (Tabby) - Cats
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