zip1purrs
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New babies, surprise!! Mama freaking out!!! - 2008/04/28 06:57
Hi all, in need of some advice/help.
I got a new hedgehog last week. This is our second hedgie. We took one as a rescue 2 years ago and she passed (at the ripe age of 7!) last summer. The new one, named Erpei - HE had a terrible attitude, but he was so cute (albino) and what I was searching for (also the very last one the store had). Well, since he had an attitude, decided to leave him alone until he got used to his new surroundings. Hadn't had the chance to socialize with him much and then.... 5 days later HE had babies. Now I have to add that HE was purchased at a pet store, and I know that is a bad thing to do... but I have to tell you about the phone call conversation I had with the 'manager'. I called telling him that eh male hedgehog we purchased was female and had babies. He said, I'm sorry, please bring her and the babies back and we will give you a male hedgehog when we get more in (we got the last one they had). I blasted him stating that she needs to nurse and I can't move the family for a few weeks- AND the pet store gets a good deal. He said that we would 'work something out and he would 'buy back' the family, but warned if any of them died in his care that he would ask ME for a refund. I told him they weren't for sale and I was VERY angry with the store for even suggesting such a thing. SO...
I know basic stuff... don't touch, leave alone, feed, water only 2 weeks or so. When I got home I heard the squeaks and knew there were at least 2. I peeked later on and seen 3. That was Thursday, I'm assuming she had the babies Wednesday nite (4-23-08). Now last night (4-27), I went in to feed her and change water and noticed by the food bowl was a dead hoglet. I scooped it out (she was in her igloo with the others sleeping) quietly - not sure if that was the correct thing to do - and examined it, it wasn't harmed in any way, I am assuming she abandoned it. Then I buried it. About two hours later - went in the room to get something and she was on her wheel with one of the babies IN HER MOUTH!!! I peeked around the door and sure enough. Then she started to freak- don't know if she noticed me (I was a distance from the cage) or not, but she got off the wheel with the baby and ran around the cage with it. Even lifted up the back side of her igloo with her snout to get in. I left the room. This morning, I could hear squeaks and she was in the igloo with them so all seems ok.
So, I need some advice on what to do, I'm guessing that by me taking out the abandoned hoglet, that could have freaked her out. What really hurts here is that we didn't have a chance to socialize with her before she had the hoglets, so her trust is in question with us. I was told by one person to take the wheel out, and another said ANY changes to her current environment would be putting the hoglets at risk. I guess it's just a matter of letting nature take it's course
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