Friday, February 1, 2013

Hissing Hedgehog

Photo: Sarah McManiman
Hedgehogs are gaining popularity as pets in recent years. During my time as a veterinary technician, I handled them on a regular basis. This wasn't always the simplest task and proved to be a bit challenging. We used a lot of different tactics when handling hedgehogs. They are spiky, but their quills don't really hurt that badly. Hedgehogs are also relatively friendly and never really tried to bite us during examination.

The hard part about examining a hedgehog was that they liked to roll up into a little ball and make a "hissing" noise. It's almost impossible to get them to uncurl, so an exam under anesthesia was usually recommended to the owners. Something people should probably consider if they are thinking of having a hedgehog as a pet.

Last week, I shared a video of a "crabbing" sugar glider. This week, I thought I'd share another interesting noise - a hissing hedgehog. The one in this video is probably the most angry I've ever seen one.


Have you ever heard a hedgehog hiss before?

20 comments:

  1. Wow, that is wild! I didn't even know these little animals existed!! My sister had a guinea pig in her classroom (she's a high school biology teacher), but she died. I think she's going to see about get a bunny next.

    Thank you for showing me something new! I just love coming to read your blog :)

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    1. Aw thanks so much! The one in this video seems particularly angry. Don't think I've ever seen one buck around like him. They are usually a little more nice than that.

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  2. Oh dear we always thought small animals were easy to handle. That told us. Love hedgehogs. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  3. Oh we love Hedge Hogs, we wanted one of those mini ones but I wasn't allowed :) Have a great Furiday xx00xx Will put some more dollars in the kitty :) xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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    1. Thanks guys, hopefully I can have Alfie's done today!

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  4. That sure is a powerful little hisser! I think I would likely hide under the bed if it yelled at me like that!

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  5. I like this small "pincushions" very much - but this noise sounds scary ;o)

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  6. Wow! I think even my kitties would run from that hiss.

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  7. My pottery teacher had a pet hedgehog named Squid. He wore a glove to hold it, but I NEVER heard it hiss. Yikes. What a tough guy.

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    1. I used to wear gloves to pick them up with, but only so they wouldn't prick me. It just made things easier.

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  8. Wow, that little one is sacred and angry, all rolled into one! I've never heard a hedgehog hiss before, so thanks for sharing that information and video!

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  9. I didn't even know they made noise. Hedgehogs really are cute. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. We've had hedgehog stuffies but never have seen a real one in action like that...The sound is like the starter noise my car makes when the battery is drained ... do they really enjoy being house pets? are they affectionate? you've got me wondering

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    1. It's kind of like a continuous noise... pretty weird. I suppose that one's with good people might like being house pets. I think they can be somewhat affectionate towards their people from what I've seen.

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  11. Not a pet I think I would consider having, but interesting. Happy Friday.

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  12. Cool post but a hedgehog as a pet might just be weird
    Cotton

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  13. Hedgehooks' are lovely. I had to take care of one a few years ago. He came out the wintersleep to early and he was laying on the road almost frozen to death. I called him Herman and after a few month, when spring began, he was strenghten enough to leave. That was hard for me, but the little fellow comes back every year and brings a girlfriend to mate. Unfortunantely he never brought his baby's :)

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  14. That is one unhappy little guy! Even I would not mess with him, I think. Although he is pretty cute :)

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