Hi daffydill
Don’t worry about asking things, just as long as you are aware that it isn’t always easy to answer them without actually seeing what you’re talking about. i.e. how small is small, etc.
But hoglets often actually seem to prefer to share bowls, either with other hoglets or sometimes with adults. Whereas, adults, especially males prefer to have bowls to themselves. But a male will tolerate a hoglet sharing with him and females will sometimes share with other females when they are older (possibly relatives).
It’s actually very difficult to say when a male might become interested in a female. I had one here who was interested in a female who was still very small (really quite tiny, she was obviously very precocious), but the male still spent hours circling her (on different nights as well). She didn’t seem to mind, but it was obviously not going anywhere, as she was far too young. I think a hog would not normally breed in her first year. But also males will show preference and if a more mature female arrives, or is around, will turn his attentions to her and leave a younger one alone.
It isn’t really possible to tell whether hogs are siblings by what they look like. Sometimes hoglets which turn up together might look completely different. Litters can have more than one Father, so litter mates may not even be full siblings.
Don’t worry about seeing more than you should. You won’t. It will just become more understandable what is happening the more you see it. But don’t worry too much about it all – hedgehogs have been around doing their hoggy things for millions of years.
Sorry this is a bit muddly, but hopefully some of it may be of interest.
