Hedgehogs are remarkably cute little animals. Their backs are covered with prickly spines and their bellies are soft and furry. When threatened or scared they roll into a tight ball. When relaxed their spines lay almost flat. They make a good beginner pet as they are easy to care for and just plain fun. Despite their impressive display of little quills they are easily tamed, and when secure, there little quills feel like hairbrushes. Hedgehogs love to play and run around. They also love critter balls and it’s a great way to exercise them.
Our baby hedgehogs are pulled form mom at 7 weeks of age and are then kept in our home. They are handled daily and well socialized when they are sent to their new homes at 8-10 weeks old.
Our baby hedgehogs are pulled form mom at 7 weeks of age and are then kept in our home. They are handled daily and well socialized when they are sent to their new homes at 8-10 weeks old.
Care and Facts:
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Diet: Our hedgehog diet consists of our home-blended hedgehog food, Pokey Crunch. It is a hard kibble with added vitamins and mealworms for additional protein that they need. It is a complete diet and there is no need to supplement with anything else. They are fed 2 level tablespoons of Pokey Crunch every evening. Other commercial hedgehog foods are available at pet stores as well. Available on the Pet Supplies Page.
Size at Adulthood: No more than 1 pound, about the size of a softball or grapefruit.
Gestation: 32-40 days with litters of 1-8.
Minimum Cage size: Hedgehogs should be provided a cage or container that is draft free, easy to clean and escape proof. We use a 122Qt. Sterilite Container with the center of lid cut out to easily access our hedgehogs and to secure the water bottle holder (guard) in place. Because hedgehogs are by nature nocturnal they prefer conditions that are not too bright, which makes a dark colored storage bin an ideal habitat. You can use a smaller container if space is limited.
Lifespan: 5-7 years
Diet: Our hedgehog diet consists of our home-blended hedgehog food, Pokey Crunch. It is a hard kibble with added vitamins and mealworms for additional protein that they need. It is a complete diet and there is no need to supplement with anything else. They are fed 2 level tablespoons of Pokey Crunch every evening. Other commercial hedgehog foods are available at pet stores as well. Available on the Pet Supplies Page.
Size at Adulthood: No more than 1 pound, about the size of a softball or grapefruit.
Gestation: 32-40 days with litters of 1-8.
Minimum Cage size: Hedgehogs should be provided a cage or container that is draft free, easy to clean and escape proof. We use a 122Qt. Sterilite Container with the center of lid cut out to easily access our hedgehogs and to secure the water bottle holder (guard) in place. Because hedgehogs are by nature nocturnal they prefer conditions that are not too bright, which makes a dark colored storage bin an ideal habitat. You can use a smaller container if space is limited.
What is a Hedgehog?
Is that a baby porcupine?? It would be cool...but no. An african pygmy hedgehog is an insectivore. It looks similar to porcupine, but the two species are not related. A hedgehog's closest relative is actually a shrew. An average African Pygmy Hedgehog will fit in an adult man's cupped hand. African Pygmy hedgehogs have a thick coat of spines, varying in color. There is no fur under the spines, but soft white or brown fur covers the belly, neck, face, and legs. Sight is relatively poor, but hearing, smell, and taste are very well developed in most pet hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs are easy going, non-aggressive and not attention seekers. They are great pets that can be handled by anyone and go to strangers with ease. If you are going to be gone on vacation for a week they won’t miss you. When you come back they will willingly go to you as if you never left.
They are vey easy to keep, all the supplies you need for them can be found at a petstore or Walmart. I have placed many of them in schools as classroom pets as they are really cool pets that children are very intrigued by. They are excellent "first" pets for kids and easy to maintain.
Living with a hedgehog:
Having a hedgehog is similar to having a hamster or a guinea pig. They are quiet, small, and easy to maintain. They do not require daily handling to keep them tame, and they hardly ever bite.
Hedgehogs are solitary and must live alone. If you want to get two, they must have their own cage.
Overall they make excellent pets, can be handled and cared for by the whole family.
Costs for keeping a Pet Hedgehog:
*Bag of Pokey Crunch food, every 4-6 weeks……...$5
*Cage setup.............................................................$50-$150
Pine Bedding…………………………..........$5-$20
Toys……………………………........……...$5-$15
* Items Available in our Pet Supplies Page
Hedgehogs as pets- REAL owners perspectives and stories:
Linda H.- My hedgehog is shy with a independent personality. He definately knows when he smells a stranger. But I love to pick him up and give him a piece of chicken. His quills relax and I watch his beautiful little face. Hedgehogs make unique pets. They are easy to care for, quiet, and you can't beat the cuteness. Even when they are balled up and peaking out they are quite cute.
Jessie B and Esthon L- Having little Thor in our lives has been nothing but a blessing. We’ve found that hedgehogs are the perfect pet for college students. I used to get lonely at night in my apartment until Thor came along, who always stays awake with me while I study late at night. My boyfriend and I love the little creature so much that we take him just about anywhere with us, even to our classes. He’s a great travel buddy as well, he sits in our laps the whole ride from our school in Austin to our homes in Fort Worth without any problems. We don’t live together so we have to take turns keeping the little guy, and once one of us gives him to the other we already miss him. He watches movies with us, takes naps with us, stays the night at our friend’s houses, and is always up for posing in front of the camera. Our favorite things to do with him are to watch him run around outside and to give him baths. I recommend hedgies to any responsible college student or young adult. They can bring so much joy and laughter into your life. . . if you keep their cages clean! Little Thor has already given us so many memories, and I cannot wait to make many more in the future
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do they have scent glands or a smell?
A: No they do not have scent glands or a smell.
Q: Do they like baths?
A: I do not reccommend baths for hedgies. They do not need baths, they clean themselves. You can occasionally let your hedgie swim around in warm water, but after you get them out you must make sure they are completely dry before putting them back in their cage. Don't use soap.
Q: Do they require any vaccinations?
A: No vaccinations are needed.
Q: What is their general personality?
A: Timid at first but once they are accustomed to you and your family they will come out and play any time of day.
Q: How are they with other pets?
A: Larger animals may frighten them, and some animals like ferrets and genets will try to eat them.
Q: Can I take my hedgehog outside?
A: If the weather is comfortable a hedgehog may enjoy a stroll in the backyard, just remember to keep an eye on them. They are excellent roley poley hunters!
Q: Should I get two, so my hedgehog wont be lonely?
A: Hedgehogs are solitary animals and should not be kept in the same cage with another hedgehog.
Negative Aspects of owning a hedgehog:
They may urinate or deficate on you, but very rarely
They are very active at night and can make quite the ruckus when you are trying to sleep
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