Houston, we have baby hedgehogs! *PICS/VIDS*

[ChickenWisperer]

Quote:
I know. That is simply AMAZING for her first litter!

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Just thought I'd let everyone know that not only are the new babies from Gail settling in well, Nala still seems to be doing good with the hoglets.

I don't know if all 5 are still alive, but I can occasionally hear them squeaking, but not very often. This either means she's taking REALLY good care of them, or not so much. I'm trying to be positive

 

[babyblue2]

5?!? oh my, well in humans at least I know not everyone really looks pregnant. At 8.5 months I was still getting the I thought you were just fat comments. She sounds like she is being a god protective mama. Best of luck.

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Well guys, mostly great news!

The babies are HUGE. Not even kidding, they've doubled or tripled in size - one little tyke fell out of the nest box, and when I went to put him in he barely fit on the same spoon! I wish I'd had time to take a picture, but Nala was already on the move to see what was going on so I couldn't waste time.

Nala seems to be a great mama. She's very attentive to them, but spends quite a bit of time out of the nest. Though, the babies are obviously growing and she checks on them often, so if she needs a break here and there I won't complain!

I counted 4 babies today. I can never look all the way into the hut because of how it's turned, but even 4 of 5 for her first litter is so good. I'm still hoping that the smaller baby made it, and I just don't see him. They all appear to be darker colored pintos


It's just all I can do to stay out of the room and not peek in.

 

[redhen]

That is amazing..i have never seen a baby one...

 

[punk-a-doodle]

The...the babies have quills? I'm not sure whether to say, "awwww" or, "OW, poor mamma!"

 

[danischi24]

The...the babies have quills? I'm not sure whether to say, "awwww" or, "OW, poor mamma!"

Gives new meaning to the term "breach birth"

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Well guys, sorry for the lack of updates. They've gotten to the 2 week mark! Hopefully this will mean they're pretty much safe. It'll still be a week before I can handle them. Bummer, because they are amazingly cute. They are so big it's hard for them all to fit, let alone for Nala to fit too! I've been trying to get pictures the last two days but it's kinda hard to do, with the poor lighting in there.

So far, we have -
1 very dark pinto with a pinto face (maybe with eyeliner)
1 dark pinto with a split face (probably with eyeliner)
at least 2 other dark pintos with solid faces
I haven't been able to get a good look at the runt. There also might even be another in there I can't see!

They are so beautiful. We are going to retain either the split face or the pinto face.

Do you guys know how absolutely HARD it is not to stick my hand in there?!

 

[ChickenWisperer]

The...the babies have quills? I'm not sure whether to say, "awwww" or, "OW, poor mamma!"

Yep!

They're born with fluid filled sacks covering them, and within a few hours they poke through. However, these first spines are very soft and flexible.

 

[bock]

That is amazing! I am so glad they are doing well!