Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals and big-time sleepers. They can sleep for almost all day which is why they are often referred to as lazy animals.
If this is your first time owning a hedgehog then understand that it is natural for the animal to sleep all day. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the animal is down or sick. It is completely normal for hedgehogs to rest it out in the day and get active in the evening.
Let’s find out more about the sleeping patterns of a hedgehog:
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How Long Do Hedgehogs Sleep?
According to Animal Planet, hedgehogs can sleep for about 18 hours per day. It’s not a hard and fast rule though. Some animals may sleep for less. They basically have nothing to do during the day – even as pets – hence they prefer to sleep.
If you’re still wondering about how many hours a day do hedgehogs sleep then remember that it largely depends upon the weather and temperature conditions. For example, a hedgehog can easily sleep for 16 to 18 hours during winters because they are not able to bear the chilling weather.
It’s different in summers as they enjoy warm weather conditions and sleep for 8 to 14 hours in summers.
Note: Different hedgehogs have different sleeping habits. Some might doze off for many hours while some might need only a few hours sleep.
Do Hedgehogs Sleep All Day?
Unfortunately, yes. A normal and healthy hedgehog will sleep all day and it’s natural for them. They spend all day sleeping and get active in the evening.
Hedgehogs would go for a hunt first thing in the evening, however, if they are caged, make sure that you provide them with food and water before they get angry.
The funny part is that your hedgehog might lose its cool if you try to wake him up in the middle of the day.
These pets do not like to be disturbed when they are in a deep slumber. Doing so can force them to point out their quills.
Do Hedgehogs Sleep At a Stretch or In Shifts?
According to some experts, it’s quite like hibernating. They go to sleep and they don’t wake up in between. However, reports suggest that some breeds may wake up in between to eat but they don’t get active during their sleep hours.
What If A Hedgehog Isn’t Sleeping In The Day?
It could be due to a variety of reasons. These include:
Your Hedgehog Might Be Sick: It’s very unlikely for a hedgehog to remain awake during the day. If you see your pet or a wild hedgehog out during the day, it might be sick.
Look for signs that indicate if they’re sick. Notice their walk. Sick or injured hedgehogs may have trouble walking. Plus, they may also make a grunting noise when they’re sick.
Take your pet to a vet if such is the case.
The Animal Is Hungry: Hunger can cause hedgehogs to stay awake and go out to hunt food during the day. This is especially true for mother hedgehogs as they often go out in the day to hunt when their babies are asleep.
Mites: Mites are tiny parasitic creatures that invade into the skin of a hedgehog. It would cause severe allergy, making the animal itchy and disrupting their sleeping patterns.
The presence of mites can be deadly because it can cause the hedgehog to lose quills. On average, there are 6000 quills on a hedgehog If mites are left untreated, this number can fall drastically to half.
The devastating itching caused by mites can be the reason why your hedgehog isn’t sleeping during the day.
Here are a few signs that indicate the presence of mites:
- Patches on the skin.
- Dry and red spots on the skin.
- Losing quills.
- Looking dull.
- Hair fall.
- Dandruff.
It’s important to take your hedgehog to a vet if such is the case. Leaving the animal untreated can be deadly.
You can also check out this article to know more about why a hedgehog may be out during the day.
How Much Does A Baby Hedgehog Sleep?
Baby hedgehogs can sleep for 20 hours or more because they are in the development stage. They aren’t fit to run around like adult hedgehogs and would prefer to sleep all day if the bedding is cozy and there’s no noise pollution around.
Mothers wake up babies to feed but they are usually not very active.
When Does A Hedgehog Wake Up?
They wake up when the sun has fully set because hedgehogs are sensitive to light. In fact, you will need to dim the lights or cover their cage to block light.
Some hedgehogs wait out even longer. It changes from animal to animal. Some will come out when it’s completely dark and some when the sun has set but there’s still a bit of light out there.
Therefore, it is important that you take care of light conditions when your pet is sleeping during the day. Excessive light can prevent them from getting sleep.
Where Does A Hedgehog Sleep?
Hedgehogs need proper bedding that’s cozy and comfortable. Check out this article for more on hedgehog bedding and how you can make your own.
The bedding must be comfortable, otherwise, your animal will feel discomfort and may not be able to sleep.
Plus, you must also take care of the temperature. It can be a good idea to install a warm bulb above your hedgehog’s head to keep him warm when the weather is cold.
They are not capable of bearing cold like other pets and may fall sick.
What If The Hedgehog Sleeps More Than A Day?
Sometimes, a hedgehog can go to sleep for a long period of time. This raises concerns but it’s not out of the ordinary as it is common for hedgehogs to hibernate.
When the climate changes and is not suitable for hedgehogs, they go into hibernation. Extreme cold, draught or scorching heat can cause hedgehogs to behave in this manner.
How To Know If The Hedgehog Is In Hibernation Mode: Touch the belly of your hedgehog, if it feels cold then it might be hibernating. Some other signs include:
- Heavy breaths.
- No appetite.
- Not drinking water.
- Balls itself and goes to sleep.
How To Wake Up A Hedgehog From Hibernation?
You need to warm its belly by warming up the cage. Temperature between 72 to 80F or 22 – 2 C is ideal to wake a hedgehog up from hibernation.
You can use a small bulb to do the job. However, make sure it is not too hot as that can also be bad for your animal. Plus, the bulb should not be too bright.
When Is Hibernation Dangerous For A Hedgehog?
If the pet looks underweight and weak during hibernation then it’s a thing to worry about. Hedgehogs often their own body fat for nutrition while they hibernate. This can cause them to starve and even die.
Therefore, it is better to not let a hedgehog stay in hibernation for a long period of time.
Hedgehog and Sleep: The Bottomline
Hedgehogs love to sleep all day. It’s better to avoid disrupting their sleep schedule. This is important because it could make them violent. You should wait for the animal to be up and active if you want to spend time with your little pet.