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breeding and behavior

21 14:50:23

Question
hi my hedgehog was suppost to give birth to her babies about 2 nights ago and i was wondering if she was pregnant? she has been sleeping on her side for the last 2 nights and i tried showing her the male witch she dosent fight with and she ran after him and tried to attack him in a way like she was trying to tell him to get lost.she dident bite him she just hissed and charged. she is a little bigger then her normal size and i was wondering if she mite be introuble if she hasent delivered her babies yet. shes only about 9 months and she has had a sucessful litter befor and she had her babies the day i suspected them to come witch was exactially one month after her breeding with the male. should i wait one more day or should i take her to the vet?

Answer
Hi, Stephanie:

First, try to stay nice and calm, 'cause hedgehogs pick up on your emotions.  

I think your hedgehog is pregnant and about to give birth.  When she stops eating or eats much less than usual, she is really close. The normal gestation period for a hedgehog is 35 days, not 30, so she is not really overdue.  

Try to keep things quiet and don't get the male around her.  If she starts trying to climb the sides of her habitat, put her in a habitat that will not allow her to stretch her body up, because this could damage or kill the hoglets.

There are people with a lot of experience with breeding on the YAHOO! HedgehogBreedersAlliance group list.  I suggest you join and give them updates on your girl.  They will be able to better advise you as to when/if she might need to visit the vet.

Good Luck,

Laurel
Quilly Garden Hedgehogs

*** Please register all of your hedgehogs with the International Hedgehog Registry and buy only from reputable breeders! ***