Post 1--> Taking care of your Pet Hedgehog.
Post 2-->Wild Hedgehog facts.
Post 2-->Wild Hedgehog facts.
African pygmy hedgehog
Unfortunately, Alot of Hedgie owners get these amazing little critters, and don't know how to care fore them....
The African hedgehog has become increasingly popular as a pet during this decade. Unfortunately, their popularity has increased ahead of our knowledge of their proper needs in a captive environment.
Many of their problems may be related to diet and environment.
Unfortunately, Alot of Hedgie owners get these amazing little critters, and don't know how to care fore them....
The African hedgehog has become increasingly popular as a pet during this decade. Unfortunately, their popularity has increased ahead of our knowledge of their proper needs in a captive environment.
Many of their problems may be related to diet and environment.
blaugh These critters are wonderful friends to have.... PLEASE Refrain from owning one if you can not care for their needs....
African hedgehogs are small, primitive mammals varying in weight from 250 to 600 grams. Although their bellies are covered with soft, usually white, fur, their entire dorsal surface is covered with short spines.
African hedgehogs are small, primitive mammals varying in weight from 250 to 600 grams. Although their bellies are covered with soft, usually white, fur, their entire dorsal surface is covered with short spines.
Here are some tips to owning a hedge hog, From my Basic knolage, and facts i got from web sites.
Your hedgehog requires a clean, dry, hospitable home to stay happy and healthy. Do not place your pet's home in direct sunlight (although it should be located in a bright, accessible area) or in a drafty area. Keep the home out of reach of very young children and other pets.
Housing - Size-->Size
Hedgehogs in the wild usually cover a lot of ground in their search for food. Pet hedgehogs need lots of room to move about too. Two square feet (e.g. 1 foot by 2 feet) is sometime quoted as the minimum floor space for a hedgehog, but this should be considered an absolute bare minimum, and only used if you have a wheel and give your hedgehog ample time to roam around outside the cage for exercise
A hedgehog cage needs to have a solid floor, so avoid any cages with wire or wire mesh flooring. Good ventilation is necessary to keep humidity levels down and to prevent ammonia (from urine) and odor from building up in the cage. Wire cages offer the best ventilation .Aquariums are okay, but you need a large aquarium (i.e. 30 gallon is a good minimum) and a wire mesh top. The major disadvantages are the lack of ventilation, and aquariums are heavy and awkward to clean.
One of the most tragic maladies found in hedgehogs these days is Fatty Liver Disease Which is preventable, with a low fat diet, and Plenty of exersise.
Hedgies have little legs that are easily caught in the holes of these wheels
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So a proper Hege hog wheel should have no holes where he can twist his leg-->
~Food~
A hedgehog's main diet should consist of a good quality maintenance dry cat food. However, we recommend that your also supplement your hedgehogs diet with a variety of extras since it is know that hedgehogs do not eat dry cat food in the wild. You can try cooked chicken, apples, corn, rice, beans, crickets and mealworms. Keep trying new foods several times. Your hedgehog may refuse one day and devour it the next.
A hedgehog's main diet should consist of a good quality maintenance dry cat food. However, we recommend that your also supplement your hedgehogs diet with a variety of extras since it is know that hedgehogs do not eat dry cat food in the wild. You can try cooked chicken, apples, corn, rice, beans, crickets and mealworms. Keep trying new foods several times. Your hedgehog may refuse one day and devour it the next.
Grooming - Hedgehogs groom themselves, however, you can give your hedgehog a foot bath when they become too soiled. A foot bath is made by taking a shallow baking dish and lining it with a towel. Next, add about an inch of water and let your hedgehog sit in the bath while you gently rub their feet to remove the dirt. Do not leave your hedgehog in the water unattended. Nails can become overgrown very quickly. To avoid those unpleasant nail trimmings, try to find a ramp that you can cover in fine grained sandpaper. This will help to reduce the number of nail trimmings.
Handling - At first, you may be a little nervous picking up something so small and prickly. Be assured that your hedgehog's quills will not come off like a porcupines. They can, however, p***k you if you are not gentle. Your hedgehog's underbelly is soft and fuzzy. Hedgehogs are timid creatures and roll-up when threatened or scared. To unroll your hedgehog, gently move him on the palm of your hand being very careful not to drop him. Hedgehogs make several noises when distressed or happy. They range from purring, puffing air, clicking and a scream.
Toys - Hedgehogs are inquisitive and playful animals and enjoy discovering new things. Supply a variety of different toys that stimulate in different ways. Try solid rubber balls, toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls, a Kleenex box with the side cut out, climbing toys exercise wheels (solid flooring, no wires) and, for an extra treat, try a piece of sod for burrowing.
Health - It is not unusual for hedgehogs to get mites and fleas. They can get these pests from the substrate used in the aquarium. A symptom of mites and fleas is a crustiness around the quills and dry skin. To prevent the mites and fleas, try using Frontline spray sold at your veterinarian's office. Check with your veterinarian prior to giving any medications. Hedgehogs are solitary animals. It is also best to keep females and males apart. If a female is disturbed with her young, she may eat them. it is absolutely normal for a baby hedgehog who is between 8 to 12 weeks to shed its quills. This process is called "quilling". It is not unlike when a baby is teething. The quilling process sheds the baby quills for the adult quills. It is also not unusual for your hedgehog to be grumpy during this time. Be patient they will soon return to their normal cuteness.
Temperature
Since hedgehogs like temperature ranges from about 70 degrees to 85 degrees, if it get's to cold they will go into hybernation. Hybernation is Deadly to hedghogs in captivity!!
I probably missed some facts so feel free to ask questions...
If your thinking about owning a hedghog make sure to do some research thank you!! Oh and make sure you find a vet that knows a bit about hedgehogs. It's a stressful ordeal trying to find a vet with hedgie knolage!
Handling - At first, you may be a little nervous picking up something so small and prickly. Be assured that your hedgehog's quills will not come off like a porcupines. They can, however, p***k you if you are not gentle. Your hedgehog's underbelly is soft and fuzzy. Hedgehogs are timid creatures and roll-up when threatened or scared. To unroll your hedgehog, gently move him on the palm of your hand being very careful not to drop him. Hedgehogs make several noises when distressed or happy. They range from purring, puffing air, clicking and a scream.
Toys - Hedgehogs are inquisitive and playful animals and enjoy discovering new things. Supply a variety of different toys that stimulate in different ways. Try solid rubber balls, toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls, a Kleenex box with the side cut out, climbing toys exercise wheels (solid flooring, no wires) and, for an extra treat, try a piece of sod for burrowing.
Health - It is not unusual for hedgehogs to get mites and fleas. They can get these pests from the substrate used in the aquarium. A symptom of mites and fleas is a crustiness around the quills and dry skin. To prevent the mites and fleas, try using Frontline spray sold at your veterinarian's office. Check with your veterinarian prior to giving any medications. Hedgehogs are solitary animals. It is also best to keep females and males apart. If a female is disturbed with her young, she may eat them. it is absolutely normal for a baby hedgehog who is between 8 to 12 weeks to shed its quills. This process is called "quilling". It is not unlike when a baby is teething. The quilling process sheds the baby quills for the adult quills. It is also not unusual for your hedgehog to be grumpy during this time. Be patient they will soon return to their normal cuteness.
Temperature
Since hedgehogs like temperature ranges from about 70 degrees to 85 degrees, if it get's to cold they will go into hybernation. Hybernation is Deadly to hedghogs in captivity!!
I probably missed some facts so feel free to ask questions...
If your thinking about owning a hedghog make sure to do some research thank you!! Oh and make sure you find a vet that knows a bit about hedgehogs. It's a stressful ordeal trying to find a vet with hedgie knolage!
