Hedgehogs are tiny animals that can easily be identified by their spines, known as quills. Due to their friendly nature, hedgehogs have recently joined cats and dogs as pet animals in many states. With little information about these animals, we sought to know if they jump.
So, do hedgehogs jump? Contrary to common belief, hedgehogs, just like any other animal with legs, can jump. The height at which a particular hedgehog can jump solely depends on its size and age. Additionally, circumstances surrounding the jump will also determine how high a hedgehog can jump. Even so, it’s worth noting that hedgehogs generally don’t have excellent depth perception and will rarely jump.
Typically, hedgehogs are agile animals that are quite friendly. While it’s not common for them to jump for no reason, a hedgehog owner should be wary of any jumping behavior exhibited by their hedgehog. Read on to find out more about why hedgehogs jump.
Why Does My Hedgehog Keep Jumping?
In every ordinary sense of things, when you find your hedgehog jumping, the first thought you will have is that it’s either angry or happy. However, this is not always the case. Many reasons make a hedgehog jump.
So, why does your hedgehog keep jumping? Ideally, hedgehogs will often jump for two reasons. First, your hedgehog will jump due to anxiety, and secondly, it will continue jumping if it’s stressed up. It’s important to note that just like a hedgehog in the wild, your pet hedgehog still has the natural innate fight and flight response and will always jump whenever necessary.
If your hedgehog jumps regularly, the chances are that it’s still adapting to the new, unfamiliar environment. If you just brought your pet hedgehog into your home, then you shouldn’t be surprised if it keeps jumping. This is because it is quite anxious and has yet to familiarize itself with the new environment.
Another reason why your hedgehog won’t stop jumping is whether it’s handled by someone foreign to them. Although hedgehogs are very friendly little animals, it can take quite some time for them to get used to someone new. For instance, when someone new comes to live in your house, your hedgehog will feel stressed about familiarizing with the new member. Also, the case may be severe when your hedgehog gets a new caretaker.
Therefore, ensure to introduce your hedgehog to a new face slowly. Avoid surprises since this will automatically trigger your hedgehog’s inner instincts to protect itself from the new threat. In most such cases, you will have to be patient with them. While some hedgehogs may take months to get used to your home or someone new, some may take weeks. It would generally help if you bonded more with your pet hedgehog to give it a sense of security and do away with anxiety.
How To Make Your Hedgehog Calm
Making your hedgehog calm is all about making him happy. However, just like dogs and cats, not all hedgehogs are easy to handle. Remember that they are naturally driven to survive in the wild, so depending on their temperament, some hedgehogs will allow you to hold them, while some may be anxious. Whenever your hedgehog is nervous, he will either jump or, better yet, curl up.
There are several ways that you can make sure that your hedgehog is calm whenever it feels threatened. Since each hedgehog behaves differently, it’s essential to know how your hedgehog reacts before applying any of the methods.
Make Sure Your Hedgehog is Comfortable
To ensure that your hedgehog is comfortable, you will want to make sure that anything that makes your hedgehog anxious is removed. Apart from that, you will wish your hedgehog’s cage to be property placed, clean, and well-equipped. Consider the following factors in making your hedgehog’s cage comfortable.
- Temperature: Where is the cage situated? Is it placed in a warm place? If not, does it have a small animal heating pad? A happy and calm hedgehog is one that sleeps in a cage that is well ventilated and the temperature is well regulated. If it’s too hot or too cold, your hedgehog will lash out or curl up.
- Bedding: The nature of beddings in your hedgehog’s cage will also determine how comfortable and calm it will be. Keep in mind that your hedgehog’s body is wholly covered with spines. Therefore, you will have to make sure that it has comfortable beddings that cannot affect its spines. While at it, ensure that the beddings are thoroughly clean to avoid transmitting any mites to your hedgehog.
- Light: How much light does your hedgehog get? It is highly recommended that your hedgehog should experience at least 12 hours of daylight. Naturally, hedgehogs are curious by nature. Keeping them in the dark will only be making them stressed, and they will end up upset and try to hibernate.
Making your hedgehog’s cage comfortable can only go so far in having the desired effect if you feed your hedgehog well. Ensure to offer your hedgehog enough food with regards to its feeding schedule. At the same time, don’t forget to provide your hedgehog enough water.
Bond With Your Hedgehog
As mentioned above, your hedgehog will act up if it’s new to your environment. Another great way of making your hedgehog calm when it is unique to your home is to bond with them. Although this is crucial, it’s easier said than done and may take a lot of time. Re
Keep in mind that the hedgehog is in a new environment and doesn’t know you yet. Therefore, you’ll have to take things slowly and let the hedgehog know you. You can accomplish this with ease if you devote about 30 minutes per day to develop a healthy relationship with your hedgehog. While at it, do the following;
Clean Your hands Before Picking up Your Hedgehog
Touch is an essential part of bonding. The importance of washing your hands before picking up your hedgehog is associating the hedgehog with your scent. To effectively do this, ensure to use the same soap each time you wash your hands. Also, avoid wearing gloves when handling your hedgehog. While this might seem scary, your hedgehog won’t be able to smell and associate with you.
Another reason for avoiding the use of gloves when handling your hedgehog is because they might be frightened by the scent of the glove and begin to bite. If you are afraid of holding your hedgehog with your hands, you can go ahead to use a blanket. However, you should make a point of using the same blanket each time.
Give Your Hedgehog Time To Unroll
Naturally, your hedgehog will be shy once you bring him to your home. It will tend to take a long time to unroll each time you approach him. Give him enough time to relax under the blanket or to hide in the cage. Even better, you can let your hedgehog rest in your lap as you wait for him to unroll.
Remember that bonding is all about developing a better perception of your hedgehog. Therefore, make a point of being gentle when holding your hedgehog. Being impatient or too rough will tarnish your relationship, and it can take months for you to bond with your hedgehog fully.
Pet Your Hedgehog from Head To Tail
Your hedgehog’s quills take the head to tail direction when they lie. It’s only fair always to pet your hedgehog in that direction. Taking the opposite direction will only cause harm to you and your hedgehog. Remember that whenever your hedgehog feels calm, the spikes will lie evenly, and they will only spread when he feels threatened or is anxious.
Hedgehogs Are Jumpy Pets
Hedgehogs are generally subtle, sweet, and curious animals. However, they react differently to new environments, new people, danger, and discomfort. With the above information, you will be better equipped to know how to handle your pet hedgehog whenever it jumps or curls up. At the same time, you’ll be in a better position to develop a better bond with your hedgehog.
