Behaviour

Behaviour

African Pygmy Hedgehog behaviour includes nocturnal activity, curiosity, occasional quilling, and the use of curling into a ball as a defence mechanism, reflecting their natural instincts and need for a secure environment

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African Pygmy Hedgehogs (APH) are naturally nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night and should be left undisturbed during daylight hours to avoid stress or agitation.

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🦔 Behavioural Signals

Hedgehogs communicate a surprising amount through body language and sounds:

• Balling up: A defensive response when frightened or uncomfortable.
• Spine raising: Usually accompanied by huffing; a sign of agitation or distress.
• Huffing, popping, sniffling: Common warning signs indicating the hedgehog feels threatened.
• Purring: A soft, rhythmic sound made by some content hedgehogs, similar to a cat’s purr.
• Exploratory behaviour: While some hedgehogs enjoy sitting quietly, others will actively explore their surroundings when comfortable.

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🔄 Quilling Stages

Quilling is a natural part of development where baby hedgehogs shed old quills and grow new ones:

• 4 weeks: First baby quilling begins.
• 6 weeks: Secondary baby quill replacement.
• 9 weeks: Key developmental phase where adult coloration emerges, allowing for proper colour identification.
• 12 weeks: Final quilling phase as juveniles transition toward adult coats.

During quilling, hedgehogs may be more irritable due to discomfort.

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🧴 Self-Anointing Behaviour

Hedgehogs engage in a unique ritual called self-anointing when they encounter a new taste or strong smell:

• They create frothy saliva, then contort their bodies to lick it onto their spines.
• While this may appear unusual, it is normal and believed to be instinctual.

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⚠️ Signs of Distress or Illness

Monitor your hedgehog closely for the following abnormal behaviours or symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy or excessive sleep
• Limping or uncoordinated movement
• Weakness or shaking
• Retching or signs of nausea

Additionally, when scared, a hedgehog will raise its spines and contract its panniculus muscle—a specialized muscle that pulls the loose spiny skin tightly around the body to form a protective ball.

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