He may be new blood, but a tiny hedgehog is slowly becoming a big Instagram star.
Huff, due to “huff” noises he makes that his owner describes as "pretty cute" -- has only 87 photos currently posted to his Instagram account, but thanks to his totally killer vampire teeth, he's already garnered over 17,000 followers:
“All hedgehogs have little sharp teeth like Huff,” Carolyn Parker, Huff's human, told The Huffington Post. “It seems his may be a little more pronounced. But, for the most part, I just try to get pictures that show off that cute feature.”
Huff’s pronounced pearly whites aren’t the only quality about this 3-year-old hedgehog that is undeniably adorable.
“I equate his personality to a cuddly old man,” Parker said. “He is grumpy but can be the sweetest when he's cuddled up in an old T-shirt of mine watching TV late at night.”
Parker rescued Huff after his former owner decided they no longer wanted to care for the cute critter.
“His previous owner kept him for a year and rarely socialized or handled him. And only fed him apples,” Parker said. “Now he is handled every day and is a lot healthier and in a much better mood.”
His health and positive mood could also be due to all the wax worm-snacking, wheel-running and T-shirt-cuddling he now does in Parker’s care, who also admits that taking pictures of Huff and posting them online has helped heal her as well.
“Living in Utah, seasonal depression is something a lot of people deal with --including myself,” she said. “I started the Instagram account to share something that made me happy with other people. My Facebook friends and family seemed to enjoy the pictures I was sharing and a few people mentioned I should share the pictures with a bigger audience -- so I did! I had no idea it would get as much attention as it has and I'm very thankful and excited.”
As for his popularity on Instagram, Parker has a theory:
“I just love the way he appears to be on the outside, all prickly and tough, but is honestly sweet and lovable on the inside. Like a lot of people!” she said. “I think that's why there is such a large fan base for hedgehogs because people can relate to them.”
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