angry hedgie :(

[camilam]

I got my hedgie, Espin, one week ago. I was told he was 4 months old.

When I first met him he was nervous and just did what all hedgies are supposed to do, but now with time hes just getting pretty angry. I cant even hold him because he runs away or just tries to hurt me with his quills or bite me, he did today.
Ive followed many of the tips online and have spent lots of time with him per day but he seems to be getting aggresive-er.
Today I gave him some apple to *gain his trust* and he didnt even try it, just tried to bite me again. Then I was adding him back in his cage and it literally took me real long, since he just didnt let me and even bit me again.
I dont want him to be mad/sad.
Is this normal? What else can I do?

 

[StephTech]

Make sure your hands are clean with scent free sanitizer/soap so you know your baby isn't biting you because you smell like something he'd like to explore with his mouth.

When I had problems with biting, I actually just allowed my hedgies to bite me. They tried and tried, I never took my hand away, I didn't react. They didn't get what they wanted (me to stop doing what I was doing). When they were consistently denied me leaving them alone by biting, they stopped the biting.

Cocoa is still pretty shy, she runs away and balls up, but if I lay the lights down low, and let her adjust, she sniffs around all balled up, and eventually relaxes those quills and huffs starts moving around and exploring. She doesn't really bite anymore unless something is smelling different. We are getting along, and things are getting better. But this has taken years.

Keep in mind you've only had him for a week- that's not really enough time for your hedgie to get used to you yet and his new world. He may have a shy personality anyway. Keep picking him up, keep handling him, keep offering a variety of treats (mealworms may be a better idea). Don't stop doing these things, because he will take awhile to adjust.