Self-Anointing in hedgehogs

Understanding one of the most curious behaviors in the hedgehog world.

What is self-anointing?

Self-anointing, sometimes referred to as ‘anointing’ or ‘anting’, is a peculiar and often puzzling behavior displayed by hedgehogs. During self-anointing, a hedgehog will produce frothy saliva and spread it over its quills using acrobatic movements of the tongue and head. The result is a hedgehog with a wet, foamy spot on it’s back. They often do this on top of their shoulders.

This behavior can be surprising or even concerning to new owners, but it is entirely normal and not harmful to the hedgehog when done occasionally.

What triggers self-anointing?

Self-anointing is most often triggered by new or strong smells and tasted. Common triggers include:

• New food items or treats (e.g. banana, egg, kibble)
• New bedding or cage accessories
• Scents on people’s hands (e.g. lotion, perfume, soap)
• Outdoor materials like leaves, soil or herbs
• Strong-smelling objects such as leather, rubber or cleaning agents.

Interestingly, not all hedgehogs will self-anoint to the same things and some may hardly do it at all. It appears to be a highly individual behavior.

How does it work? The sequence of self-anointing

The behavior typically unfolds in a sequence:

1. Discovery: The hedgehog encounters a new scent or taste.
2. Tasting: It may lick, bit or chew the item.
3. Frothing: The hedgehog begins to produce a frothy, sticky saliva.
4. Application: Using a complex tongue-over-back motion, the hedgehog spreads the foamy saliva onto its quills.
5. Repetition: This may go on for everal minutes, especially if the scent remains stimulating to the hedgehog.

It may look strange or even erratic, but it is usually harmless and self-controlled.

Why do hedgehogs self-anoint?

The exact purpose of self-anointing is still not fully understood, but several theories exist:

• Camouflage or masking scent
  Coating the quills in new environmental smells may help conceal the hedgehog from predators.
• Defensive behavior
  Some researchers suggest it may be related to using toxic substances for protection, similar to some birds and insects.
• Social or sensory enrichment
  For captive hedgehogs, it may be a form of stimulation in repsonse to novelty.
• Exploratory tasting
  It could also be a way for the hedgehog to ‘test’ its environment through combined taste-scent input.

None of these theories has been definitively proven, and it’s likely that multiple factors play a role.

Is self-anointing normal or a cause for concern?

In general, self-anointing is completely normal and should not be discouraged. However, keep the following in mind:

• Frequency: Some hedgehogs do it often, others rarely. Both are fine.
• Triggers: Avoid exposing hedgehogs to strong or toxic substances (e.g. chemicals, essential oils)
• Behavioral balance: Excessive or compulsive self-anointing may be a sign of boredom or overexposure to scents.

if the behavior is accompanied by distress, drooling at rest or changes in appetite or energy, a health check by a vet is recommended to rule out oral issues.

Self-anointing across species

Self-anointing is not exclusive to one specific hedgehog species. It has been observed in every hedgehog genus across the world, both in the wild and in captivity. This suggests that the behavior may have an ancient evolutionary origin within the broader hedgehog lineage.

Tenrecs and gymnures do not self-anoint. They do wash themselves using their tongue and their paws, which makes self-anointing a very unique and intriguing behavior that often spikes interest in scientific studies.