Calling all Hedgehog experts - Weirdest fucken thing

**White trash** · 29th November 2010, 19:01

I'm spooked, this is crazy.

I came home from work, had a bourbon, had a laugh and a BBQ. Playing with the kids, Keiran had regaled us with his mopping skills out the back. Sue says "Look, a Hedgehog, that's weird!" Jeuveneile hedgehog, in very good shape, snuffling about out the back of the house on the driveway. So we give the kids a good look at it, they love it, Keiran calls it "Stirty" as in, short for "It's Dirty".

Anyway, we go in for dinner, leave Stirty outside. We have a big formal lounge are where we live and after I'm finished, I get up and take my plate out to the kitchen. I get into the foyer (middle of the house) and here's this Hedgehog sitting in the middle of the room. I shit you not, we had to put down my dog Sprocket a week ago but this hedgehog looked at me and shied away in EXACTLY the same as Sprocket used to when she snuck inside. My heart stood still, I shit you not. This hedgehog, has walked halfway around the house and up the disabled ramp, through a quarter of the house, to get inside. And then looked at me like my dog when it snuck inside.

After watching Stirty in the foyer, perfectly comfortable with people around I might add, we retreated to the living room. Stirty followed us in. I shit you not. Fed him some letuce (because my retarded brother suggested that Hedgehogs were carnivores, duh!) and a bit of apple.

In the end, Sue's scared of fleas and shit, Stirty has been picked up (without curling) and placed gently outside where he's now looking mournfully at the door to get in.

MAF tells me I'm not allowed a Wombat at home, so this is the next best thing. Third only to a White Rhino.

So, Hedgehog experts, what the fuck do I do?

**piston broke** · 29th November 2010, 19:05

my local hedgies luv cat and dog food.
maybe you should put a lead on it and take it for a walk so it shits on someone elses property

**ellipsis** · 29th November 2010, 19:05

....tell it not to play on the road....

**sil3nt** · 29th November 2010, 19:05

Don't give it milk. They are lactose intolerant. It may also be carrying a few nasty germs. Otherwise keep the thing because hedgehogs are awesome!

**Pussy** · 29th November 2010, 19:06

I'm no expert on Hedgehogs, Jimmy... but can tell you that they're quite fearless and friendly when they are juveniles.
Stirty a younger one?

**98tls** · 29th November 2010, 19:08

Whatever you do dont touch it,there full of ringworm.I recently found an injured one on my front lawn,being fond of animals and having no idea what to do rang the SPCA to find theres someone who actually looks after injured Hedgehogs

anyways last report is he/she was doing well despite a naffed leg.Oh and they love cat food.

**Berries** · 29th November 2010, 19:14

The ones in my back garden are quite partial to pakora.

**Hitcher** · 29th November 2010, 19:21

Don't let the kids touch it. Seriously these things are walking garbage cans. Ringworm has already been mentioned. They also carry tuberculosis and brucellosis, cute and endearing as they may appear.

**maggot** · 29th November 2010, 19:39

Just do the usual you'd do with any potential pet that you don't know the history of, if you're planning on holding onto him. Take him to the vet, get him checked out, cleaned up, and figure out a habitat for him. If not, take him to the SPCA and let them sort it before he becomes roadkill, if you care enough

**Crasherfromwayback** · 29th November 2010, 19:47

I was waiting for a taxi one very late night. It was a dead still night. The taxi came up the road just as a hedgehog was crossing it. The taxi was doing around 5kph looking for the place. Sure enough, the taxi rolled over the hedgehog. It actually popped extremely loudly. Not the tyre.

The end.

**KiWiP** · 29th November 2010, 19:47

They are carnivores, love to gobble up worms and bugs and things. Cat and dog food will do if you can't afford the worms

Shouldn't have anymore worm problems than with any other animal (child). +1 re the milk. Not part of their diet so don't give it to them same with any other processed thing really bread, biscuits etc.

They do make excellent food I'm told

Just wrap them in clay and toss them on the fire for 1/2 and hour. When done you crack open the clay case which has attached itself to the prickles and you're free to nibble away on the tender inner

**Hans** · 29th November 2010, 20:25

De-flea immediately. Frontline is your friend.

**Hans** · 29th November 2010, 20:30

Also de-worm using cat de-wormer- NOT dog de-wormer. Other than that, be wary of Salmonella-you've got kids. This message is sponsored by wifey, who knows this stuff...

**twinbruva** · 29th November 2010, 20:35

Our cat is always losing out to the H/H gang. Intimidation, standover tactics, prickly characters one and all. You put your Whiskas on the line with that crew, I tell ya!

**98tls** · 29th November 2010, 20:38

Originally Posted by twinbruva

Our cat is always losing out to the H/H gang. Intimidation, standover tactics, prickly characters one and all. You put your Whiskas on the line with that crew, I tell ya!

Agreed,was always pulling quills out of our old Border Collies mouth,silly prick (

) never learnt.