Hedgehogs: Sleeping Beauty Or Nocturnal Critter?

Hedgehogs have a reputation for being lazy, and they do sleep a lot—up to 18 hours a day. They are nocturnal, so they sleep during the day and are active at night. In the wild, they spend their waking hours scavenging for food, making nests, and searching for mates. They sleep in different places almost every night, usually in some form of hideaway, to avoid attracting predators.

Baby hedgehogs sleep a lot, running around in short bursts before taking an hour-long nap

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night. They sleep between 12 to 14 hours per day, but this can increase to 18 hours depending on the season. For example, if it's cold outside, you might find your hedgehog sleeping more. Likewise, hot temperatures may signal your hedgehog to sleep less.

Baby hedgehogs sleep a lot. They typically run around in short bursts for a few minutes, then sleep for an hour, and then run a bit more. This is normal behaviour for baby hedgehogs, and they may even sleep more if they're 6 months old or younger.

If you've only had your baby hedgehog for a day or so, it's still getting used to its environment. Going to a new home is a big change, and it needs time to adjust before you can tell what its normal behaviour is.

If you're concerned about your baby hedgehog sleeping through the night, you can set up a camera to capture the moments it is active. This can help narrow down if there is a potential problem.

Hedgehogs sleep in different places almost every night, possibly to avoid attracting predators

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, typically sleeping during the day and becoming active at night. They sleep between 12 and 14 hours per day, although this can vary depending on the season, with colder temperatures leading to more sleep and hotter temperatures leading to less sleep. Baby hedgehogs sleep a lot, running around in short bursts before sleeping for an hour, and this pattern continues throughout the day.

Hedgehogs sleep in nests they build to hide themselves away from disturbance and predators. Common predators of hedgehogs include foxes, large birds, dogs, cats, and other carnivorous animals. To protect themselves, hedgehogs will sleep in dense plant cover like hedges, trees, underbrush, and gardens. They also tend not to be very territorial, sleeping in different places almost every night, possibly to avoid attracting predators.

Hedgehogs sleep curled up in a ball, a natural protective instinct to protect their midline, which is vulnerable due to the lack of quills. They are quiet sleepers, but you might hear the occasional squeak depending on what they are dreaming about!

Hedgehogs sleep curled up in a ball, a natural protective instinct to protect their midline, which has no quills

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, typically sleeping during the day and becoming active at night. They sleep in nests, hiding away to avoid disturbance and predators. In the wild, hedgehogs sleep in dense plant cover, such as hedges, trees, underbrush, and gardens. They are not very territorial and often sleep in different places.

Hedgehogs sleep curled up in a ball, a natural protective instinct to shield their midline, which lacks quills, from potential threats. This defensive posture is typical of prey animals, and if they are startled, they may curl up and view the disturbance as a danger.

Hedgehogs sleep between 12 and 14 hours per day, and certain factors can cause them to sleep more or less. For example, during colder seasons, hedgehogs may sleep up to 18 hours per day. Conversely, higher temperatures may lead them to sleep less. Baby hedgehogs tend to sleep more, sometimes exceeding the adult range of 12 to 14 hours, especially if they are six months old or younger.

Hedgehog owners should be mindful of their pet's sleeping habits and provide a suitable environment for their rest. It is essential to maintain a consistent temperature in the hedgehog's enclosure, as extreme cold can induce hibernation. Additionally, access to food, water, and an unobstructed entrance to their hideaway are crucial for their sleep schedule.

If a hedgehog is sleeping in the open, it may be injured or sick

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, typically sleeping during the day and becoming active at night. They are known to sleep between 12 to 14 hours per day, and sometimes even more, depending on the season. During the colder months, hedgehogs may sleep up to 18 hours per day.

Hedgehogs usually sleep curled up in a ball, a natural protective instinct to shield their midline, which lacks quills, from predators. They also tend to hide away in their nests when sleeping, to avoid disturbance and predation.

If a hedgehog is sleeping in the open, it may be a sign of illness or injury. Hedgehogs that appear to be “sunbathing" in the open may be very ill, possibly with an overload of worms or parasites. In such cases, it is advisable to gently pick up the hedgehog with thick gloves, wrap it in a towel, and place it in a box with a hot water bottle. Keep it in a warm, enclosed space until you can transport it to a local animal rescue centre or veterinarian.

Other signs that a hedgehog may be injured or sick include staggering, dragging a leg, coughing, or displaying cuts and missing spines. If you notice any of these behaviours, it is important to take appropriate action, such as contacting a rescue centre or seeking veterinary assistance.

It is worth noting that there are exceptions to a hedgehog sleeping in the open indicating illness or injury. Pregnant or nursing mothers, for example, may be out during the day to search for food and water or build nests. Therefore, it is important to observe the hedgehog's overall behaviour, appearance, and the time of year before determining if it requires assistance.

Wild hedgehogs are only active for 5-7 hours a night hunting

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and are awake at night. In the wild, they spend their waking hours hunting for food, making nests, and searching for mates. They are typically quiet sleepers, but every hedgehog is unique and may make a squeaking noise now and then while sleeping, depending on what they are dreaming about.

Baby hedgehogs sleep a lot. They run around in short bursts for a few minutes, sleep for an hour, then run some more. This is normal behaviour.

Hedgehogs build nests to protect themselves from predators such as foxes, large birds, dogs, and cats. They are not very territorial and sleep in different places almost every night. They love sleeping in areas with dense plant cover like hedges, trees, underbrush, and gardens.

Hedgehogs sleep curled in a ball, a natural protective instinct. They need to protect their midline in the wild since this area has no quills.

Frequently asked questions