When to seperate the young: Timing is key

In both hedgehogs and tenrecs, the early weeks of life are a delicate balance between the mother’s care and the young animals’ growing independence. Separating the young from the mother, and eventually from each other, is an important step in successful breeding or rehabilitation. But timing is everything. Separate too early, and the young risk malnutrition or stress. Wait too long, and overcrowding, aggression, or unintended pregnancies may occur.

The Early Weeks: Full Dependence

From birth, young hedgehogs and tenrecs are altricial: blind, hairless or with only soft spines, and entirely dependent on their mother’s milk. During this period, separation is not an option, survival depends on nursing and maternal warmth.

• Hedgehogs: The first 3–4 weeks are exclusively milk-dependent.
• Tenrecs: Nursing usually continues longer, often 4–6 weeks, especially with larger litters.

Any disturbance in this stage, such as premature handling or forced separation, can result in rejection or even cannibalism.

Transition Phase: Beginning Independence

As the young grow, their senses open up and their bodies become stronger. This marks the gradual transition toward independence. Signs that the transition has started:

• Eyes opening: Around 2 weeks in hedgehogs, slightly later in some tenrecs.
• First solid food: Young begin nibbling soft or pre-chewed food provided by the mother between 2-3 weeks.
• Exploration: Leaving the nest to investigate the environment between 2-3 weeks.

During this stage, the young still rely heavily on the mother’s milk but start learning how to forage and eat solids. Separation is not yet advised, but caretakers should ensure enough space and safe access to food.

Weaning: The Critical Moment

Weaning is the process of shifting from mother’s milk to solid food. This is the key stage when separation can be considered.

• Hedgehogs: Weaning usually happens between 4–6 weeks of age. By this time, the young are eating solid food on their own and no longer need constant nursing.
• Tenrecs: Weaning can take place between 6–8 weeks, depending on the species and litter size. Larger litters sometimes wean a little earlier as competition for milk increases.

At weaning, the young should have:

• Stable body weight and growth.
• Consistent interest in solid foods.
• No need to return to the mother’s milk.

Separation from the Mother

Once weaning is complete, young can safely be separated from the mother. This reduces stress for her and prevents unintentional late nursing or aggression.

• Timing for hedgehogs: ~5–6 weeks.
• Timing for tenrecs: ~6–8 weeks.

In both groups, females can remain with the mother slightly longer if needed, but males should be separated promptly to avoid early mating attempts.

Separation Among the Young

After leaving the mother, littermates may still live together for a short period, but long-term cohabitation can be problematic. Risks of delayed separation:

• Aggression: Fighting over space, food, or dominance.
• Stress: Overcrowding can suppress immune health and growth.
• Accidental breeding: Especially in species where young males can become fertile at only a few months of age.

Best practice:

• Hedgehogs: Separate into individual housing soon after weaning between 5-6 weeks.
• Tenrecs: Young can sometimes be housed together for a bit longer, but males and females must be separated before sexual maturity (as early as 2–3 months in some species).

In Summary

The right time to separate young hedgehogs and tenrecs is just after weaning: when they are eating solids reliably, gaining weight, and no longer dependent on the mother’s milk. For hedgehogs, this is usually around 5–6 weeks; for tenrecs, 6–8 weeks. Males should always be separated first to prevent early breeding. Careful timing ensures healthy growth for the young and recovery for the mother, proving that in wildlife care and breeding, timing truly is key.