Hedgehogs are great animals that people like keeping as pets. If you prefer to have an animal that does not require much attention, a hedgehog is a perfect choice. But let’s start with some of the basics: What is a female hedgehog called?
A female hedgehog is known as a sow.
Female hedgehogs are more tolerant towards other hedgehogs as opposed to males.
If you have a female hedgehog, you can place it with other females. However, placing a male hedgehog with a female may result in many fights. This is because male hedgehogs are usually bigger than females, although this may vary with age and general temperament.
What is a Male Hedgehog Called?
Male hedgehogs have a name for them, which is boar. As aforementioned, male hedgehogs are bigger than female hedgehogs in size. However, there are other ways to detect the difference between a male and a female hedgehog.
For example, male hedgehogs are usually more aggressive and intolerant towards other hedgehogs.
The best thing to do is separate the male hedgehog from the rest when they reach six weeks. If you do not separate the male hedgehog, you may risk fights or the hedgehog becoming sexually attracted to its mother.
The male hedgehog takes no part in bringing up the hoglets and is only there to mate. During the mating season, male hedgehogs will gather and dance to impress the females. In addition to this, male hedgehogs also get into a head-butting competition over female hedgehogs.
Male hedgehogs are not territorial, smell the same as females, and may sometimes be smaller.
How to Tell a Male Hedgehog from a Female Hedgehog?
There are some ways you can tell a male hedgehog from a female hedgehog, although they are not the most reliable.
The first thing you can notice is size. You will find that male hedgehogs are bigger than female hedgehogs. However, an adult female hedgehog can sometimes be bigger than a young male. Also, certain female hedgehogs grow to be naturally bigger than males.
Some people also differ between hedgehogs in colour. Female hedgehogs have lighter and fluffier hair. However, colour is not the best way to differentiate between a male and a female hedgehog. There can be males with lighter and fluffier hair.
Male hedgehogs are thought to be more aggressive than female hedgehogs. However, there can be females with a more aggressive temperament than males. Therefore, this is not an accurate way of differing between the sexes.
The best method to determine whether you have a male or female hedgehog is to look at its private area. You can do so by gently holding the hedgehog with its feet towards you and letting it unfurl in your hands. The hedgehog underside will be exposed to you.
If it is a male hedgehog, you will see a penile sheath that looks like a belly button. With a female hedgehog, you will see the vulva with the anus.
What is a Baby Hedgehog Called?
Baby hedgehogs are adorable when they are born and only weigh 25 grams. Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets. These hoglets are born without any spines, which only show after a few hours of being born.
Hoglets are also born deaf and blind. However, in around two weeks, these baby hedgehogs can begin to hear and see.
Hoglets suckle on their mother, and in three weeks, they are ready to be introduced to solid foods. The baby hedgehogs stay with the mother until six weeks of age. Upon turning six weeks, the hedgehogs are ready to venture out.
What is a Group of Hedgehogs Called?
It would be natural to assume that a group of hedgehogs is called a prickle. However, as hedgehogs share their characteristic quills with porcupines, they are often confused. Therefore, a group of hedgehogs is not called a prickle, but it is called an array.
Generally, hedgehogs do not like staying together in groups.
These small mammals prefer their own company and are solitary. Hedgehogs do not like the presence of other hedgehogs and animals. You will find hedgehogs coming together during the mating season and then being on their way.
Can Hedgehogs Stay in Groups?
More often, we have heard that hedgehogs do not like being in groups. Hedgehogs, especially males, do not have the tolerance to deal with other hedgehogs. Hence, it is unlikely that you will ever see an array of hedgehogs.
However, there are some exceptional cases and times when hedgehogs stay together.
For example, when a mother hedgehog gives birth, the hoglets stay together with the mother until they are six weeks old. In the wild, mother hedgehogs are seen nursing their hoglets in nests or hiding inside burrows.
During the mating season, hedgehogs come together to compete for the females. For example, the male hedgehogs may dance to impress the female, while some may participate in head-butting to compete for the female hedgehog.
Baby hedgehogs like to stay together and huddle for warmth. These hoglets stay together for six weeks and do not mind each other’s presence until then. Some hoglets may also show feelings of love and protection for their siblings.
If the hoglets feel that their sibling is being bullied, they may protect it. When a hoglet has to be removed from the group, it sometimes becomes depressed and anxious.
Summary
A female hedgehog is called a sow, while a male hedgehog is known as a boar. You can differ between the two sexes by placing the hedgehog on its back and inspecting its genitals.
A group of hedgehogs is called an array rather than a prickle.
When hedgehogs come together in a group, it is called an array. Hedgehogs rarely form groups and may do so while mating or when hoglets are with their mother.
