Hedgehog Tattoo

Source: deviantart.com

I love love love this tattoo! I cant believe how well the artist captured the expression on the face. (No mom, I am not going out to get a new tattoo.) It can be very tricky to do faces that look natural and expressive, especially animals. And when it is a tattoo the stakes are a bit higher. This is so fantastic. I am a bit jealous!

    

Milligan the Hedgehog

 

 Source: funnyexpression.com

This sweet little guy is Milligan. This video is a day in the life of a very young hedgehog being cared for by a very loving family. It looks like he is an European Hedgehog. I don't know much about this little hedgie but he is sure living the good life! 

      

Oh that is how Sonic became blue

Source: piccsy.com

How cute is this painting? I am not a huge Sonic fan (I was too busy playing Kirby and eating stars and other important stuff) but this is a great piece!
           

I just love this shirt.

Source: www.snorgtees.com

A Hedgehog's Calendar - Spring

Source

So, I am a bit late but it is still technically Spring so what better time to discuss what spring is like for a hedgehog? Exactly. I did have to do a bit more research for this as I have no experience with baby hedgehogs.

After a long winter's nap these little spike balls are thirsty, hungry and looking for love. How do hedgehogs make babies? Not as carefully as you would assume. Nature is a smart designer and they are able to maneuver themselves so that neither is poked with quills. It is all about angles. *wink* We don't have wild hedgehogs where I live but I understand they can be quite noisy at this time of year.

The mama hedgehog gestates for 35-58 weeks and can have up to four litters a year. The average number of hoglets (baby hedgehogs) born is 3 - 4 per litter. They are born blind with their quills under their skin that will come through after they have been cleaned. The mama hedgehog will nurture her young for approximately two months before they leave the nest for their own adventures.

Nursing Mama and her hoglets (source)

Sources:  wikipedia / hem.passagen.se/hedgehogs / hedgehoghollow.com
        
            

Sleeping Hedgehog

Luna the Hedgehog

This is Luna the Hedgehog all snuggled up in her cage. I love that you can see her all curled up in the hay. This picture reminds me of another great sneak peek into animal life website called The Squirrel in our Window. It is a little old but has amazing pictures of a mother squrrel and her young in the nest. Not totally hedgehog related but still an adorable read. I still visit the site time to time and marvel over how content the family looks.
      

Baby Hedgehog kicking it

For your Friday viewing pleasure may I present Baby Hedgehog kicking it on a towel. Enjoy!


Source: youtube

                                

Hedgehog Escapees

The breakout caught on camera...

                                         
Two little hedgehogs got together and tried to break out of a shelter in East Sussex! Story here.

"The secret escape committee was rumbled by volunteers at the centre who captured a photo of one of the hogs getting a helping hand from a fellow escapee."

This cracks me up. I can just imagine the two plotting and waiting until the light went out and the volunteers went home. This is the most adorable prison break ever! Little did these guys realize that it is much better to be fed and warm all winter in the shelter. They are safe back in their hutch and awaiting their spring release. 
                                    

Hedgehog Belly Rubs

This little guy is a very relaxed and happy camper.

Source: sayomg.com

Brazos Museum - Name that Hedgehog!



Maria Lazo, Museum Associate Director with the nameless hedgie

The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History has received a rescue hedgie from the The Brazos Animal Shelter in Texas. The museum intends to use the little guy for educational programming. You can visit the hedgie and participate in the naming contest they are holding. I looked on the Museum website and it seems like you need to go in person to participate. The museum looks like a very cool place with lots of interesting exhibits. Too bad it is a *bit* of a commute from Canada.

I had a hard time figuring out what to name Peggy. I had to try a few different names over the course of a few days but then finally decided on Peggy for reasons I posted here. Actually to be very specific her full name is Lady Margaret Tiggywinkle. But that is more for a lark than anything. I know, I am a total geek. How did you name your Hedgehog?

Sources: http://www.wtaw.com / http://www.brazosvalleymuseum.org/
 

Hedgehog Rides a Snail!

I really like these two works from Inside a Black Apple. They are cute and quirky with a bit of whimsy!
      

Happy Hedgehog Day!!

Source: weheartit.com

It is Groundhog Hedgehog day today! (see my earlier post on how the Groundhog usurped the Hedgie here) So, in a completely unscientific test I took Peggy out to see if she saw her shadow. Peggy did not see her shadow nor did she seem impressed with being woken up for this pagan ritual. I however am relieved winter will end.

Did your hedgie see her shadow today? 

    

Hogs from Other Blogs - A Hedgehog Prescription



Thembi the servicehog

This is Thembi and he is a therapy hedgehog who is allowed to travel with his owner everywhere she goes! I read this story yesterday and I can't stop thinking about how wonderful this is! Thembi is considered a service animal like a guide dog and can go anywhere with his owner as he relieves her anxiety and depression. Now, I don't medically need to have Peggy with me like she does but I sure would love it ... I wonder if I can get a hedgehog prescription!

Source: nytimes.com

Happy Halloween from The Hedgehog Manor!



Vampire Hedgehog does NOT glitter  Source 



Hedgehog Anointing Itself



 Hedgehog Behaviour

This little guy looks like he is anointing himself. I have never seen Peg bend like this. Maybe it is a yoga position? Sideways facing hedgehog pose number 2? 

                    





Should you get a hedgehog?



vegetarianknitter.files.wordpress.com

I have often said that getting Peggy was one of the best things I have done. But, I did do some research before adopting her to make sure that a hedgehog would be a good pet for me. Please, make sure you are ready for a pet and for a hedgehog in particular before you get one.

Things to consider:

• Hedgehogs require patience to cultivate their trust
• Hedgehogs need regular exercise and play time
• Hedgehogs require you to clean them frequently (every few days)
• Hedgehogs need fresh water and food daily
• Hedgehogs get lonely if you are out all the time and never play with them
• Hedgehogs need a warm, quiet place in your home without becoming isolated in an unused room
• Hedgehogs may not be the best idea for young kids and teenagers that cannot be gentle and still
• Hedgehogs do have quills that can be uncomfortable on your hands
• Hedgehogs will be playing while you try to sleep
• Hedgehogs can be initially expensive for setting up their cage, food and toys
• Hedgehogs occasionally will need to go to the vet
• Hedgehogs can make it hard to clip their nails

Things that are awesome:

• Hedgehogs aren't stinky like rodents
• Hedgehogs like to play in the evening and at night when most people are home from work or school
• Hedgehogs have soft bellies
• Hedgehogs all have a unique personality
• Hedgehogs will make you wonder what they are thinking
• Hedgehogs don't bark or meow or chirp
• Hedgehogs don't need you to walk them in the rain
• Hedgehogs won't use your couch as a scratching post
• Hedgehogs won't leave hair on your good dress, your couch, your floor or anywhere else 
• Hedgehogs get used to you caring for them and will trust you
• Hedgehogs will uncurl for a mani/pedi if you bribe them with treats
• Hedgehogs will make you laugh with their silly playtime antics
• Hedgehogs sometimes make sweet snuffly noises while they sleep
• Hedgehogs are awesome

        

Simon's Cat meets a Hedgehog!

I love Simon's Cat. With simple lines and black and white he conveys so much expression and the attitude of cats. Much to my excitement and surprise in this latest installment Simon's cat meets a hedgehog. While the hedgie kvetches much more than Peggy does it is still priceless:

Source: simonscat via http://thedailywh.at/ 

       

Hedgehog Shirts!

Why keep your crazy Hedgehog lady to yourself when you can wear these kick butt shirts! (Seriously you don't need to be a crazy Hedgehog lady to wear these... you can just be a casual Hedgehog enthusiast). 




Rainbow Hedgehog at Threadless

                                            

 Sir Hedgehog from Sircritter.com

                                                                                       

I found this on Threadless!!!

                                                      

Sonic eating those gold rings

                                                                                             

Literal Hedgehog shirt. Why be subtle?

    
          

Cats and Hedgehogs

I have the good fortune this weekend of having Emma as my house guest. She is a close second as my favourite quirky creature. Since I live in a shoe box Emma and Peggy are continually interacting. They see each other every few months in a close quarter situation and now I do not have to worry as much about leaving them alone and on the lam for a few minutes. I would not leave Emma to her own devices around Peggy for much longer only because she is a very curious creature and I worry that it may get the best of her one day. Here are some pics I took in the Spring of Emma and Peg. It is sorta an evolution of their relationship. (Apologies for the fuzzy, unrefined nature. They are candids!)

Emma looks sceptical

  

"This thing is only here temporarily, right?"



Emma keeps her distance initially

But then she gives Peg some belly to show she feels safe.

    

Hogs from Other Blogs - Hedgehog Stealing Dog Food

 

This video cracks me up. The dog is pretty excited about the thieving wild Hedgehog that is sitting nonchalantly in the dog's dish eating his food! (at about 0:40 you will see the real star of this video). We don't have wild Hedgehogs where I live so I find this fascinating. I am sure it is like a raccoon in the garbage to someone that is used to them. The wild European ones look so different from Peggy (an African Pygmy).

Source: youtube.com