They are not typically aggressive toward humans, and are generally friendly. Temperament is often more governed by proper stimulation and upbringing than gender or any other factors. Hedgehogs that are given love and attention, along with the necessities of life, are usually great pets. There are variances between individuals, of course, with genetics, environment, age, and other factors coming into play.
But, by and large, gender is not one of those factors. Of course, there are physical differences between male and female hedgehogs. Aside from genetics, like any species, there are differences in anatomy, especially with regards to reproductive anatomy. Males have a penis, which is typically retracted into a penile sheath in their abdomen looking like a bit of a belly button. Their testes are also inside the abdomen and are not typically visible from the outside of their bodies.
Females of course have a vulva and vagina, located near their anus. They have five visible sets of teats on their underside, used for nursing their young. Hedgehogs do not scent mark or anything similar, and there are no noticeable scent differences between male and female hedgehogs.
Likewise, the allergens or level of cleanliness between the males and females are comparable they are generally very clean and produce very few allergens. Some people who have experience with other pets often worry about females and their menstrual cycles.
This, in addition to preventing unwanted pregnancies and health risks, is one of the main reasons that people who keep female pets often have them spayed.
With hedgehogs, this generally is not required. Male hedgehogs can get bedding or other material inside its penile sheath. You will need to check this area daily to make sure there is not blockage or irritation.
Most irritations can be freed during a normal bath but if a problem persists then a trip to the veterinarian will be necessary. There are no odor differences between males and females. Neither males nor females scent mark.
Females do not have obvious menstrual cycles. Females cohabitate better than males. We have seen signs that some of our female hedgehogs prefer to have a cage mate, but it is not absolutely necessary in most cases. Males can self-stimulate, but this practice is not typically a complaint of male hedgehog owners.
Cohabitation and Gender Differences It is common knowledge that hedgehogs are solitary creatures in the wild. However, we have found through our own experience, research, and customer feedback that some hedgehogs actually do quite well together. Baby hedgehogs, especially females, cohabite quite well throughout their life.
Female hedgehogs have a tendency to cohabitate better than males because they do not have the testosterone and risk of aggression during their sexual prime. Males that are raised together and are never exposed to females may also cohabitate nicely.
The button you see is nothing else than a urogenital gap or a penile sheath. This sheath also contains the testicles which are not visible. Female hedgehogs have five pairs of teats mammae and of course a vulva that lies relatively near to the after. Concerning the size female hedgehogs get quite bigger than males. Especially when they are pregnant.
Consider this when you buy supplies like a sleeping bag or a hedgehog carrier. The penis of male hedgehogs is very low to the ground which can lead to health issues if you are not careful. If you choose a male you will have to take a cautious look at the bedding. It can get stuck in the penile sheath and cause irritations which can evolve into serious problems if getting overlooked.
All good and well. We more often hear them at it. And the sound of marketing hedgehogs is often pretty similar to the sound of fighting hedgehogs. There is only one foolproof way to sex a hedgehog, and that is to take a look at its equipment.
But looking is the tricky bit. So before you can determine the sex of your prickly visitor, you first need to get it out of its protective ball. Pat Morris, in his book Hedgehogs, suggests you do this by a kind of hedgehog whispering. Cup the hedgehog in the palms of your hands, feet downward, with one hand towards the head end of the one, one towards the tail. Gently jiggle the hedgehog so that it uncurls its feet to steady itself and places them on your hands.
Then gently lift the head end, pressing the back of the hog against your own stomach, and you will have a view its bits. I am a great fan of Pat Morris, but even he says that if you get this wrong, you will end up with the hedgehog balling up around your fingers — painful.
This is because hedgehogs have a migrating penis this is definitely my fascinating fact of the week! The penile sheath on males starts life in very much the same position as the vulva on females, quite close to the anus. Then as the boar becomes more mature, it moves or migrates to its final position halfway up the belly. So if you really want to know whether your prickly visitor is a Fred or a Freda you should be able to find out. Remember, however curious you are, never disturb a nesting hedgehog, either hibernating or breeding.
If you have questions or your own tips and stories on sexing hedgehogs we would love to hear them Leave us a comment below. Do we really need to know? Hedgehogs are secret private animals and not to be interfered with willy nilly.
It will just encourage people to pick them up unnecessarily. I guess this is who I was aiming at. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
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