sandalwoman
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newcomer - 2008/02/04 01:55
I have made the mental leap of deciding that a hedgehog is for me. I am saying Hi! and also looking for advice from other Southern-US owners. I have been lookingat cage setups and have decided on one that is for me and mine. The question then is: Do you find that you need a cage warmer/heater? I am not sure that I do as it rarely goes below 70 in my apartment, and rarely below 40 outside. Next then: How well do Hedgies take to being in the reverse backpack socializing sac in public? Is this even possible to do? I like the idea of my hedgie going to many places with me, like the park and stuff but I wonder how he will react to the sounds and other animals. Thank you for all your help and guidance.
Sandalwoman
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CThogs
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/04 06:12
Welcome and congrats on making that mental leap
I would have a heat pad or some supplemental heat available in case you need it. Around here, I have the worst problems in spring and fall with temp fluctuations making the hedgehogs cool. Its not just the temp on the thermometer that you have to think about, it is the change in temp and sometimes with windows open, A/C, etc the warmer temps are just as hard to regulate for them.
Some hedgehogs really like to be out and about. Keep that in mind when you pick out your hedgehog and ask your breeder about the personaliites of the individual hedgies.
Ann
Connecticut Hedgehogs
We had a great time at Hedgehog Fest 2008!!! |
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sandalwoman
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/04 11:57
thank you very much... I am very glad to have found this forum, and I am definitely glad to hear from more experienced owners and moms. Thank you!
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Hedgehogmadhatter
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/07 22:27
Hello,
I live in South Carolina and it doesn't usually get too cold around here. However a few years back we had an ice storm that knocked out the power. I ended up sneaking Isabel Hedgehog and Sushi the beta fish into a heated hotel room. So you never know what can happen.
It's good to keep at least a heating pad handy because some hedgehogs are more prone to chills than others and it doesn't have to be freezing for a hedge to decide a nice long winters nap might be a good idea. I lost Chloe hedgehog five years ago in a 68 degree room. She was a thin albino I 'rescued' from a pet store and never was healthy. I was always using the heating pad to warm her up and one day she didn't wake up. So my motto is be prepared just in case!
If you are talking about those hedgehog bonding front packs, I wouldn't wear it on my back, else your hedgehog is likely to make an escape. Back in college Bartleby hedgehog LOVED to ride in my book bag in the front pouch. He'd sleep through class and be ready for fun afterwards. Of course this worked better once he took to his litterbox. If you hedgehog is a calm relaxed sort than he/she will love the smells and sounds of getting out and about. Be prepared though, if you take your hedge out in public, people (mostly kids) are fascinated and drawn to hedgehogs. Don't have him out and expect to get any peace. Everyone always wants to know 1. What is that? and 2. Is his name Sonic? and 3. Is he safe to pet? So hedgehogs are mini celebrities. LOL 
~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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pricklesnquills
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/08 06:15
Hedgehogmadhatter wrote:
Be prepared though, if you take your hedge out in public, people (mostly kids) are fascinated and drawn to hedgehogs. Don't have him out and expect to get any peace. Everyone always wants to know 1. What is that? and 2. Is his name Sonic? and 3. Is he safe to pet? So hedgehogs are mini celebrities. LOL
Oh, that is very true! I've been asked 'is that a'(pick one): rat, pine cone, sea urchin, porcupine.
Emily
Prickles N' Quills Hedgehogs
Breeding for Excellent Health, Personality & Color
Charlotte, NC
www.pricklesnquills.webs.com
www.remembermethemovie.webs.com |
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aislinsadia
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/08 06:52
pricklesnquills wrote:
Hedgehogmadhatter wrote:
Be prepared though, if you take your hedge out in public, people (mostly kids) are fascinated and drawn to hedgehogs. Don't have him out and expect to get any peace. Everyone always wants to know 1. What is that? and 2. Is his name Sonic? and 3. Is he safe to pet? So hedgehogs are mini celebrities. LOL
Oh, that is very true! I've been asked 'is that a'(pick one): rat, pine cone, sea urchin, porcupine.
ROFL Pine cone? I like that. "Yes folks, this is a living pine cone... Be amazed!" It could be the next sideshow for stupid people
*~*Steph*~*
Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittehs), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), and Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs). |
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pricklesnquills
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/08 08:44
aislinsadia wrote:
pricklesnquills wrote:
Hedgehogmadhatter wrote:
Be prepared though, if you take your hedge out in public, people (mostly kids) are fascinated and drawn to hedgehogs. Don't have him out and expect to get any peace. Everyone always wants to know 1. What is that? and 2. Is his name Sonic? and 3. Is he safe to pet? So hedgehogs are mini celebrities. LOL
Oh, that is very true! I've been asked 'is that a'(pick one): rat, pine cone, sea urchin, porcupine.
ROFL Pine cone? I like that. "Yes folks, this is a living pine cone... Be amazed!" It could be the next sideshow for stupid people
lol, yes. I've gotten pine cone several times. Mostly from little kids when I bring my hedgies to libraries for the children to see....
Emily
Prickles N' Quills Hedgehogs
Breeding for Excellent Health, Personality & Color
Charlotte, NC
www.pricklesnquills.webs.com
www.remembermethemovie.webs.com |
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Hedgehogmadhatter
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/08 12:07
pricklesnquills wrote:
lol, yes. I've gotten pine cone several times. Mostly from little kids when I bring my hedgies to libraries for the children to see....
Emily how did you get involved in stuff like that? People have asked me if I do that but I never know who to contact. Are you in 4H?
Oh and yes Hedgies are stars! The funniest thing is the bigger and more macho men tend to be petrified of hedgehogs! Too funny. My brother is 6'8 and he won't even touch Harley. 
~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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pricklesnquills
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/08 12:20
Hedgehogmadhatter wrote:
pricklesnquills wrote:
lol, yes. I've gotten pine cone several times. Mostly from little kids when I bring my hedgies to libraries for the children to see....
Emily how did you get involved in stuff like that? People have asked me if I do that but I never know who to contact. Are you in 4H?
Oh and yes Hedgies are stars! The funniest thing is the bigger and more macho men tend to be petrified of hedgehogs! Too funny. My brother is 6'8 and he won't even touch Harley.
~Sara
It's kind of a long story....I'll have to explain some time. But no, I'm not in 4-H.
Emily
Prickles N' Quills Hedgehogs
Breeding for Excellent Health, Personality & Color
Charlotte, NC
www.pricklesnquills.webs.com
www.remembermethemovie.webs.com |
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sandalwoman
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/09 00:11
I am so ready to take my hedgie "out and about". I already have friend lining up to touch and hold the soon to be named "Mulligan". I am only waiting now because we are going out of town at the end of the month and I think it would be stressful to meet my hedgie and then have to leave. I don't think that would be very "good-mommy" of me. I think the best plan of action is to get him used to the house and comfortable with the litter pan first, and THEN take the "pine cone" out. I love it.
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aislinsadia
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/09 18:36
Hedgehogmadhatter wrote:
I ended up sneaking Isabel Hedgehog and Sushi the beta fish into a heated hotel room. So you never know what can happen.
Haha my Ryukin goldfish's name is Sushi! And everyone thought I was so sadistic for naming him that! Glad to know I'm not the only one lol
*~*Steph*~*
Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittehs), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), and Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs). |
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CandJ327
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Re:newcomer - 2008/02/09 22:45
I had a beta named sushi but he swam into a seashell in his vase but got stuck and died... we couldn't figure out how he disappeared until we cracked the shell open when we saw a dark spot. It was so weird.
Ava's mom!
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