Estivation?

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Joined
Dec 22, 2013
Messages
5
My hedgie is perfectly fine (aside from a few picky eater issues I posted in the food section). I just saw the word estivation tossed around, and I wanted to ask about that. Can Hedgehogs go into estivation? What are the signs? Does it look like hibernation?
 
I personally, have never heard of estivation. So now, naturally, I am curious as well.
 
Estivation can occur when it's too hot. Hedgie's activity decreases/becomes lethargic - so, in that way, it can look somewhat similar to hibernation. However, you'll probably notice a "splat" that indicates hedgie is too warm. They look like cute little starfish, all stretched out, trying to cool off - so in that way, it looks very different from hibernation where they're curled into a ball.

I haven't really seen what happens after splatting out. Nor at what temperature estivation will officially set in. I know my quillkids have been in mid-80s without issues. Others have reported their quillkids being okay at upper 80s.

I'd start officially worrying around upper 80's, but that's my gut feeling talking; not formal research.

My understanding from some resources are that estivation is as bad as hibernation attempts; others have mentioned it's bad, but not quite as bad as hibernation attempts.
 
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