Every hedgehog is different and unique. Some like to play and explore, while others are more content to cuddle. You will be most satisfied with your new pet if you carefully choose the one that best suits your own personality and lifestyle. Sometimes an ear has been chewed on by a sibling. As long as it has healed, this is not something to worry about.
Bare spots indicate an unhealthy animal.
Place it on a flat surface such as a table and watch it walk. A healthy hedgehog should have a stride that is somewhere between a walk and a shuffle. You can readily tell a boy from a girl. If the hedgehog is tame and friendly, gently roll it over and look at the area closest to the tail. However, this distance can increase to as much as an inch or more once it fully matures.