When hedgehog owners first notice the bald patch on the top of a hedgehog’s head the first reaction tends to be one of concern, but there’s no need to worry! Your hedgehog is not going bald, this bare patch is commonly referred to as a reverse mohawk.
All hedgehogs have a small triangular part going down the middle of their head where you can see bare skin instead of quills. This bare patch is healthy and normal, and is not a sign of quill loss!
This reverse mohawk allows them to cross the quills on either side of that gap to a form tight ball while also not poking their eyes. Some hedgehogs have a more pronounced gap than others, and it tends to stand out even more after a bath as the quills tend to lie down flatter when wet.
If you do find bald patches on other parts of your hedgehog’s body or notice excessive quill loss it’s always a good idea to schedule a visit with your local veterinarian to determine the root cause of the balding.
