Hedgehog.... SELF-ANOINTING!!

Windsor my African Pygmy Hedgehog self-anoints himself while my Sphynx cat watches:
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If you smell *really* interesting, your hedgehog will lick or nibble on you, back off, and suddenly contort itself, start foaming at the mouth, and lick the foam onto its spines. This ``self-anointing'' has to be seen to be believed, but it's perfectly normal. It's not known for sure why they do it, but it probably has something to do with self-defence; hedgehogs are *highly* resistant to most toxins, and when they encounter something that might be toxic, they get it in their mouths, foam, and cover themselves with the toxic mixture.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• african
• pygmy
• hedgehog
• windsor
• sphynx
• cat
• phinnaeus
• phinnie
• self-anointing
• anoint
• self
• instinct
• habit
• species
• animals

[westernrider123987]

you said it was a toxic mixture ???? if you tuch the stuff can it harm you ?????

[zmelon]

@westernrider123987 No.... the "self-annointing" mixture is harmless. They seem to think that when a hedgehog is in a new and unfamiliar environment, they self-annoint themselves..... so they blend in with the odors.... a defense mechanism.

[zmelon]

Hedgies annoint themselves.... no one knows why. BUT the conclusion is that when they smell something different or a new environment... they annoint themselves. But it is truly the most enduring feature. I love Hedgehogs!!!  :-)

[danielle007duh]

Your cat is like "i'mma eat that little nigga one day, you wait and see" LOL!

[viperior]

@theemeraldhour You're probably right. I bet there are health benefits of the "prickly tingles." Like acupuncture plus immunotherapy.

[theemeraldhour]

@viperior Why are you disputing that? I'd say a mild and temporary tingle - at the worst, since they usually do nothing, is the very definition of "harmless". Their saliva is mildly irritating to some people. So are dog and cat saliva, but no one would call them poisonous.

[viperior]

@westernrider123987 "Harmless?" Their poison will make your hands tingle if you let them lick anything powerful. It feels cool after you get used to it, though. Source: I had a self-anointing hedgehog named Yoda who would go crazy licking people's boots when they came over to the house. I miss the little bugger.

[kalibeachkid89]

My little hedgie just did that today for the first time, she put strawberry all over herself and then balled up. cutest thing ever!

[CharlesStudios]

that's nasty

[CPBlazier]

mine annointed over a bannana

[MutinyXBitch]

your cat xDD i love it and the hedgehog