The friendliest and most common type of pet hedgehog is the African pygmy hedgehog (a hybrid of the Algerian and African white-bellied hedgehog), known for its generally calm demeanor and suitability as a companion, though individual personalities vary, and consistent handling is key to building trust and friendliness.
While there are 17 different options, the African pygmy tends to be the primary choice for pet owners. This cute and cuddly hedgehog is smaller in size, making it easier to find housing in your home. It tends to have a calmer nature than some of the other hedgehogs and becomes friendly over time.
The domesticated hedgehog kept as a pet is typically the African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). Other species kept as pets include the Egyptian long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus auritus) and the Indian long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris). The Romans...
Both are pretty much the same. You'll find that females can be more docile. And if you're considering getting your Hog a companion, male hedgehogs tend to get aggressive and territorial when in an enclosure with other male hedgehogs. Females however, can be housed together, and will likely form a 'sisters' bond.
Yes--hedgehogs can form bonds with their owners, but the attachment looks different from that of dogs or cats. Their social behavior is subtle, gradual, and shaped by species, individual temperament, handling, and environment.
Even though hedgehogs are “pets” they may not automatically enjoy being petted. You must first earn your hedgehog's trust so that it can relax and enjoy your touch, rather than fear your touch as potential harm.
This decline is partly due to a loss of natural habitat, which provides both shelter and food for hedgehogs. Fencing, pesticides, garden hazards (like ponds, strimmers and netting) and development and construction also have an impact. And of course, cars are a major threat to hedgehogs, killing thousands each year.
Baby hedgehogs need special care when they are born. These tiny and vulnerable newborns, often referred to as hoglets, require a warm safe, quiet environment. You can typically adopt hedgehogs from pet stores once they have been weaned and have reached an appropriate age, usually around 6 to 8 weeks old.
They are solitary creatures and will hibernate alone in the wild. Strangely, hedgehogs kept in captivity will often choose to share a nest.
Hedgehogs are solitary animals in the wild, so they may be shy and wary of people. Building trust with a pet hedgehog takes time, patience, and a gentle approach. If you get a hedgehog when it's young and slowly acclimate it to being handled, they can be playful, but they may never become cuddly.
Number 1: Border Collie.
“Bedding will need to be changed frequently. I recommend daily spot cleaning to remove feces, a midweek change of bedding, and a thorough cage cleaning (everything removed and the cage washed) at the end of each week,” says Dr. Kehoe. Their cage should offer a place to hide and sleep during the day.
The African pygmy hedgehog has become quite popular as a pet because of its cute looks and calm demeanor. Coming from central Africa, these small hedgehogs have a gentle temperament, making them suitable companions for certain households.
Here's an inside look at the latest pet stats compiled by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).
Many hedgehogs love playing with balls, such as ping-pong balls and cat toy balls. Hedgehogs really like to move things around, so anything mobile tends to go over well with them. A tiny stuffed animal may be a great gift, especially if it's brightly colored.
Hedgehogs can be shy or even prickly, both literally and figuratively. Bonding with them can take time, patience, and effort. Due to their independent nature and limited social interaction, they may not bond with their owner, at all. With proper care, a hedgehog can live for up to 4-6 years.
Hedgehogs need bedding for insulation in the cooler winter months, which in modern gardens can be difficult for hedgehogs to source. Our hedgehog bedding acts as a supplement to the materials they find naturally.
Hedgehogs are primarily trained by the owner moving the poop and wet spots to the litter pan or puppy pad. They don't learn on their own. You have to teach them it goes there by moving all their excrement to the correct place. They then follow the scent and will understand that it's where they're supposed to go.
Hedgehogs have prickly quills along their back to protect them from predators. They are shy animals and will roll up into a tight ball and hide their face if they are frightened. Always approach a hedgehog slowly and handle them with a small towel so you don't prick yourself on one of their quills.
For many species, males are more aggressive than females. Because of this, females are typically viewed as more desirable pets than males. This tendency, however, is not true of hedgehogs. Male and female hedgehogs show no consisten temperament difference in how they react toward humans.
As pets, hedgehogs can recognize and remember their owners' scent and voice, making them a loyal and affectionate companion. They can also quickly learn routines and habits, such as when it's time to eat or play.
During extreme muscle exertion, the 'purse-string' muscle can fold up over the pelvis and get stuck: the pop-off syndrome (Bexton, 2019). The muscle goes into a spasm, which leaves the hedgehog unable to roll up and causes the pelvis and hind legs to remain visible. This is very dangerous for the animal.
No, hedgehogs will only sleep in a nest during the day, so any hedgehog lying out on the lawn will be very poorly and will need to be picked up and taken to your nearest wildlife hospital as soon as possible.
Ambient temperature should be 72°–90°F (22°–32°C); 75°–85°F (24°–29°C) is optimal. Hedgehogs may go into a torpid state if they are too cool or too warm; this is believed to be unhealthy. A heating pad placed underneath the enclosure or a ceramic reptile heater may be used. Low humidity (< 40%) is preferred.