Bonding & Behaviour
When you first collect your hedgehog, (s)he will be justifiably distressed and unsure of his or her surroundings and yourself. The most beneficial thing you can do for your hedgehog at this time is leave him or her to become acquainted with his or her new home for a day or two. After this however, you should handle your hedgehog on a daily basis. Do this by calmly scooping your two hands underneath your hedgehog and gradually lifting him into your cupped hands. Understand that your hedgehog is nocturnal, and will always be in a better mood if you handle him or her when (s)he has awoken of his or her own accord in the evening, rather than you waking him or her in the daytime. Do not be surprised if (s)he huffs or rolls into a ball. A tame hedgehog should unroll within a few seconds.
If your hedgehog, however, does not, do not give up and put him or her back into the cage if it is night time and (s)he should be awake anyway. Offer your hedgehog a t-shirt you have recently worn and hence holds your scent, and sit him or her on your lap for perhaps 30 mins to an hour whilst you browse the internet or watch television. You may not think you have made progress because your hedgehog didn't come out to explore, but by doing this daily you will soon notice a positive change in your hedgehogs personality and (s)he will fast become tame. Offering your hedgehogs daily treats whilst handling may result in your hedgehog relating handling to a positive experience. Ultimately, the more you handle your hedgehog, the tamer (s)he will be.
'Annointing' is where your hedgehog will discover a new or interesting scent or taste during his or her explorations, and will begin to deposit frothy saliva all over his or her back.
'Quilling' occurs at around 7-10 weeks of age, and again a few months later, and is essentially your hedgehog's old quills being pushed out and replaced by new ones. This can prove uncomfortable and even painful for your hedgehog, and you may notice (s)he becomes a little grumpy and looks a little scruffy. You can attempt to soothe your hedgehog's skin by giving him or her an oat bath. Take some plain oats and fill an old sock or similar with them. Tie it up and place it in a bath of lukewarm water until the water turns cloudy. Gently bathe your hedgehog in this water and dry him or her very well with either a towel or a hairdryer on the lowest setting.