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The Self
When you start learning about hedgehogs, one thing that you may see your hedgehog do, or hear about before you get a hedgehog, is known as self-anointing. Self anointing is something that is truly unique to hedgehogs, and something that is fascinating to watch as well. If you aren’t expecting it, this practice of self anointing can really be quite scary…for you.
Imagine yourself sitting there with your hedgehog. You are reading a book, and the hedgehog, being very curious, sniffs the book and possibly licks it or even bites it. Before you know what has happened, he puts himself in the oddest position, starts foaming at the mouth, and then starts transferring the foam onto his quills…seemingly on purpose.
If you aren’t expecting it, you’ve never seen it before, and never heard about it; your first reaction might be that he needs an emergency trip to the veterinarian. He is, after all, foaming at the mouth! Relax. He is just self-anointing, and it is perfectly normal for hedgehogs…especially male hedgehogs.
Nobody knows for sure why they do this, but it is believed that it is a defense mechanism left over from the wilds. In the wild, hedgehogs are known with covering their quills with substances that could be toxic to other animals. Remember that while the hedgehog’s quills will protect him, to an extent, they aren’t nearly as threatening as porcupine quills. As far as your hedgehog is concerned, the toxic material that he has covered himself with offers greater protection.
There are things that you do that actually promote self-anointing. For example, if you use a different soap on your hands or hand lotion, and then handle your hedgehog, this could cause him to start self-anointing. In fact, any smell that he may associate with a possible toxin to other animals – whether it actually is or not – can cause him to start self-anointing.
Self-anointing is very entertaining to watch, but it can also be a problem. For example, some people have fed their hedgehog carrots, only to have the hedgehog self-anoint after eating them, turning his quills orange. Be careful feeding your hedgehog anything that is colored! The color, of course, washes off, but it is a sight to behold!
Just remember, when your hedgehog folds himself into what seems to be an impossible position and starts foaming at the mouth that he is self anointing. He doesn’t have rabies, and he isn’t having any type of ‘fit’ that is abnormal. Simply put, hedgehogs don’t have backbones, and they do have incredibly long tongues…and they will, at some point, self-anoint.
Check out PetAlive for terrific pet health tips and information as well as 100% safe, effective and unconditionally guaranteed pet health remedies!
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