With their pokey quills, Hedgehogs are still growing in popularity as pets among households. It’s easy to see the reason behind this popularity if you’ve encountered a hedgehog.
Today, we shall take you through aspects of the male hedgehog’s life, including sexuality, size, diet, hygiene habits, and social behavior.
The information here will clear the misunderstanding you once had concerning male hedgehogs. The report also aims to help you become a better and more informed hedgehog owner.
Sexuality
The male hedgehog has its penis located in the middle of its belly. You can mistake the genitalia for the belly button at first, but it is not.
Although the area is known as the umbilical region, it is also the penile sheath.
When a male hedgehog is sexually aroused, the penis erects. The anatomical structure of a hedgehog’s penis is quite different from what you would imagine, but that is a story for another day.
There is much interest in the issue of solitary sexuality in male hedgehogs. By this, we mean masturbation, more popularly referred to as boy time.
Much is still to be known about this self-stimulation done by male hedgehogs. Nevertheless, it is a natural biological function, but not all hedgehogs do it.
Size
Male hedgehogs are generally larger than female ones. We look at the most common species of hedgehog, the African Pygmy’s size and growth chart.
| Age | Length Range | Weight range |
| Newly born | 1-2 inches | 1-3 ounces |
| 1 month | 1-2 inches | 4-6 ounces |
| 2 months | 2-4 inches | 7-9 ounces |
| 3 months | 2-4 inches | 10-12 ounces |
| 4 months | 4-12 inches | 13-15 ounces |
| 5 months | 4-12 inches | 1-2 pounds |
| 6 months | 4-12 inches | 1-3 pounds |
Typically, hedgehogs attain full maturity at around the age of six. It may take longer depending on the species type, genetics, and diet.
Diet and Nutrition
Male and female hedgehogs are all omnivores, but most of what they eat are insects, including worms, slugs, millipedes, beetles, earwigs, and caterpillars. Scientific studies on hedgehog poo have proven to us what they eat.
The essentials of a male hedgehog’s diet are simple – low in fat and high in protein. This diet resembles what male hedgehogs eat in the wild from a nutritional point of view.
So, if you want to feed your hedgehog, consider a meat-based wet cat, dog food, or dry kitten/cat food. These foods are rich in proteins and low in fat, just like is required.
Don’t worry that sooner or later, your hedgehogs will become dependent on the food you supply them with. Most of the hedgehog’s food you give them is supplementary because they get their food mainly on their own.
Hygiene Habits
There are many speculations on the internet about the hygiene habits of hedgehogs, much being misleading information.
Many people claim that male hedgehogs are more unclean than female hedgehogs, while others claim the opposite.
Hygiene habits are hugely dependent on the character and personality of the hedgehog. There are female hedgehogs that are well litter trained and only pee within designated areas, while others are so lazy they hang their butt outside their snuggle sack to pee outside their sleeping area.
Simply put, it is impossible to conclude the hygiene habits of a hedgehog based on their gender only.
Hedgehog self-anointing is a hygiene habit the small animals perform from time to time. It involves applying its spines with saliva using the tongue, as a cat licks its body. This habit also is not gender related.
Self-anointing in male hedgehogs can be because of the following:
- Protective instincts
- A new taste or scent to them
- Form of sexual behavior
Social Behavior
Generally, hedgehogs live a quiet and solitary life. They don’t require a cage mate to lead a good life or search for food together; they enjoy being alone.
Male hedgehogs can turn territorial with other males, whether in the wild or as pets. Often, the two hedgehogs will end up fighting.
Like humans, hedgehogs have varying socialization norms and different temperaments. Some hedgehogs are friendly and like human interactions, while others are anti-social and get huffy when humans touch them.
Being a male or female hedgehog has nothing to do with their attitude. Every hedgie has its unique behavior and mannerisms.
If your hedgehog is the anti-social type, try to improve the bond you have by training her.
Final Thoughts
Here, we explore the male hedgehog’s significant life facets, which are full of misinformation across the internet.
Knowing more about your hedgehog will make you a better owner and handler. It will enable you to make correct decisions in case of any occurrence.
We hope you’ll get a better understanding of your male hedgehog and its life with the help of the information above.
