ODD behavior - 2006/03/02 23:52I just brought home a new hog prob 6months old. This would be my second hog i have ever had. I have only had him for a 5 days and I am being very patient and following all the advice on helping him bond with me (scented shirts in cage and freqeunt handling) but there is a new development.... biting and he also will bite and hold onto the pieces of cut clothing i put in the cage to help him learn my scent and he will (like a dog) swing his head side to side and pull backwards like he is tring to take it from me. He has also biten me once and tried to do it other times. I dont really back off too much or will cover my hand with a shirt i have worn and just push back so i can show him i'm not scared. Once i get him in my hands he uncurls right away and just wants to escape my hold. Any advice? Also what are some good treats to use to associate myself with yummies?
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and make sure your hands are clean, and dont smell like, soap, smoke, food, or anything else interesting to him.
and just keep on keepin on!
meally worms, and dried salmon, are my hedgies favorites!
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irshgrlhr
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Posts: 2
Re:ODD behavior - 2006/03/03 00:59tonight we got a warm bath which he seemed to not Hate completely and he is now resting peacelully under the shirt i wore all day... no nipping just yet just some hissing and pops...
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HamorHollow
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Posts: 2173
Re:ODD behavior - 2006/03/03 01:07Sometimes hedgehogs will bite at clothing because they either really like or really dislike the scent of your detergent.
As far as the biting goes, there are a few really good threads on this board about biting that have great advice.
My most important bit of advice is never to put your hedgehog back in his cage after he bites you. Hedgehogs are incredibly smart and will quickly learn that if they want to go back to their cage they should bite you.Kelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
I would also suggest checking into your laundry soap as the culprit. You may need to run the clothes through an extra rinse cycle or switch to a less aromatic dryer sheet and see if that helps.
I know Jasira has never bitten me. My husband is a completely different story though and whenever his fingers are anywhere close she is constantly trying to lick and bite him. I was amazed at how far she would stick out her tongue trying to lick his fingers. I think the main difference is that I am constantly washing my hands (Dial soap) while my husband doesn't so much and he smokes, which seems to be one of the top reasons for a hedgehog biting. Try not to use any lotions, perfumes, or anything like that before handling your little guy and see if that helps.
Hopefully you'll be able to pinpoint whatever is bringing about this reactin in him. Getting bit is never fun. Kudos to you for being so calm about it and not putting him away when he does it. Hedgie hugs...Tiffany
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