just got my apricot APH!!

[partoftheplan]

hey folks,

as the title says i got my little boy several days ago. he's settled in great.. eats like a horse and loves exploring lol. i did months of research before getting him and had his new home set up a few weeks before he moved in. the only question i have is about handling him. when i lift his hide at nite to socialise with him, he's obviously curled up tight in a ball.. if you touch him he jumps and starts breathing very loudly and his spikes stand up on end. obviously i expected his spikes to stand up, in order to warn off predators. but in my research i didnt come across anything about the heavy breathing. i have to wear gloves to pick him up but once he's out he's absolutely perfect.. he's pokes his nose out and he's off exploring lol. will he continue to act like this when i try to handle him or will he settle down after a while?

cheers in advance

[fraggle]

mine does this too- it's like he's huffing at you? it's just cos they're a little scared when you first go in. if you scoop from the front under the nose end of the ball it won't prickle you so much, do it slowly and you will soon be able to pick him up without the gloves.

that way he can get used to your smell and recognise you- then he will know you're not a threat?

mine huffs a little when i first lift her house- but now once she smells that it's me she comes straight out anyone else and she's a huffy spiky pompom though

[clair74]

Yes huffing is perfectly normal when they are first disturbed but it is good that he comes out quickly.
Try encoraging him out of the ball with a mealworm or favourite treat so you do not startle him and you will probably find he is much more relaxed about it.

[Heavenlyhogs]

many of mine huff at first when being handled but then i have many that do not huff at all in fact they all wait to be handled.

[LauraandLee]

If you havent already try this forum its really helpful

Pygmy Hogs UK