Are Hedgehogs Blind
Could my hedgehog be blind most hedgehogs have no concept of edges or height and will run right off the edge of anything.
Are hedgehogs blind. Young hedgehogs become independent of mother at 4 6 weeks. It was likely born that way. Many believe that they are born without quills which develop in the following days.
Sometimes it is obvious that the hedgehog is blind because it will have no eyes at all due to injury or disease. However the quills are easily visible within hours of birth after the newborn hedgehog has been cleaned. There are some that if on something like a bed with a rounded edge they will realize something is different and stop.
Like most mammals they re born blind but only for a few days. Hedgehogs are not blind. Hedgehog bones have been found in the pellets of the european eagle owl.
The quills emerge through the skin after they have been cleaned or it falls off. In the various hedgehog groups you can sense the caretaker s anxiety when their quill baby loses vision. Although it s not a widespread problem among hedgehogs it does happen from time to time.
With others it can be less obvious and takes a number of steps and tests to diagnose. In britain the main predator is the badger. Hedgehogs are born blind with a protective membrane covering their quills which dries and shrinks over the next several hours.
