I've had my hedgehog for a little over a week now, and I've been handling her every evening (aside from the first night). I just let her sit in my lap with a fleece blanket or snuggle sack and do her thing, which usually involves sleeping, huffing (at movements or noises) or sometimes sniffing me. The first time I had her out, she started licking me and gave me a nibble, and she's done it a few times since. I usually just move my fingers away and figure, no big deal. Last night, however, she was being an absolute terror! Every time she came in contact with my flesh, she bit me. She does it to my pants if I have her directly on my lap, too. The odd thing is, she was crawling around on my boyfriend's lap as well, and sniffing and licking him, but NOT biting. What's the deal?? Has she decided I'm extra tasty, or extra scary and she has to protect herself?
When I first put her into her new cage with a shirt of mine, she immediately anointed with my scent. She went straight from being a huffing, clicking ball of rage to doing that. So maybe she just really likes me? Boyfriend hasn't held her quite as much as I have yet. The breeder told me she'd never bitten anyone before. Guess I'm special. :\
She is my first hedgie, so I'm getting used to interpreting her behavior. If anyone can help shed light on this for me, I'd appreciate it.