Hedgehogs and what about them

Source

This post is dedicated to my little sidekick, which I got her for my birthday a week ago. Her name is Mochi. Why? Because she kind of reminds me of the Japanese dessert, mochi when she curls up into a ball.

Like most people, I was afraid to touch her at the beginning. I mean just look at that pointy spikes! Nobody dared to go close to her. After a while as I move the back of my hand towards her, she sniffed and licked my hand. At that moment I knew she is the friendliest hedgehog in the whole universe and of course I was still very cautious around her.

Behavior of hedgehogs

1. Curling up

Source
When frightened, nervous or threatened, hedgehogs will curl up their bodies into a ball, making it painful for predators when trying to harm them. A prickly hedgehog ball is not an inviting morsel of food! They will also curl up when they are sleeping. This movement is made possible by the orbicularis muscle, which runs along the sides of their body.

2. Anointing

Source
When hedgehogs encounters a new or unusual smell, they start licking at it until they develop what is best described as a scented froth in their mouth. They then contort their bodies and apply this froth to their quills with their tongue.

3. They float

Source
Hedgehogs are extremely buoyant. I'm sure some of you have watched hedgehogs floating in the water on Youtube. Most of them tend to enjoy bath time in a sink or a large washbowl.

4. Hibernate
Hedgehogs can turn into hibernate mode when the temperature drops below 20 degree Celcius. Hibernation can cause pneumonia or other health issues for a pet hedgehog, so keep his room temperature between 22 and 27 degrees Celcius.

5. Daydreamer

Source
Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals. They sleep in the morning and become very active at night. Baby hedgies tend to sleep more than when they reach adulthood. Respect their sleeping hours if not they might show bad temper.