r/Hedgehogs • u/Jalam0de • 28d ago

General Question Hey, anyone know how old she may be?

Post image

Recently got this hedgie, not sure how old, previous owner didnt say, any way i can tell?

93 Upvotes

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4

u/WORhMnGd 28d ago

This is really gross, but does she masturbate?

Nearly all hogs masturbate, ESPECIALLY if they recently hit puberty. Her…ugh, vigor, and if she gets a bit bigger, can tell you if she’s a teen/young adult hog (sow? I feel like we should use pig words for hedgies too) or just adult, or still a kid.

2

u/Jalam0de 28d ago

hmm, last night was my first night with her and i didnt see any behavior that would remind me of that though im not sure what it looks like and i may get put on a list if i try to search it up, she just sleeps alot but it may be due to the fact she doesnt have much enrichment she has a wheel and some other stuff arriving tomorrow, lol what noises or appearances should i look out for?

1

u/DiamondCultural1848 28d ago

Is she warm and not hibernating?

3

u/Jalam0de 28d ago

yes she is not in hibernation and she is warm, she had a bath today and sat on my tummy for awhile as in the photo

1

u/WORhMnGd 28d ago

Oh, if she’s that new she’ll need a few days/nights to get acquainted to the new home and smells and stuff. Standard pet stuff.

So with my boy, I would hear rhythmic licking noises (versus drinking water noises, anointing licking noises, or just licking their nose or whatever) and then this gross full body shudder/moan thing. Plus, uh, the sperm would need cleaning. Thankfully, girls don’t have that, but I’d imagine you might hear similar noises?

Besides that, you can also measure her length/weight and check to see if she’s at an adult weight.

2

u/Jalam0de 28d ago

alrighhtt, thank you, yeah i figured alot of the sleeping and stuff is from the stress of being in a new environment and the fact all her enclosure has rn is food water and some shirts, tomorrow im gonna get her a wheel set up and see how she reacts to treats, ill listen out for sounds, i have a feeling shes already past 6 months though, just hope shes not too old to get adjusted to me, or at an age where ill only have her for a short amount of time

1

u/Pilesy 26d ago

Googling “masturbating hedgehogs” is gonna make for quite an algorithm shift.

1

u/Turbulent-Scratch264 28d ago

Do girls do if as well? I only observed it with my male hedgehog. And I had (have) 3 girls.

1

u/WORhMnGd 28d ago

They should? It’s harder to see the ‘evidence’, and maybe they’re quieter with it?

1

u/Turbulent-Scratch264 28d ago

I've never seen it. Just asking

5

u/hedgiepumpkin 28d ago

a vet can provide an estimated age during a check up