Hedgehogs as pets.
Hedgehogs are many things; Funny, cute, active and entertaining. However a breeders work ends around 7-8 weeks when they allow their babies to their forever homes. Most hogs at this age are starting to quill (lose baby quills and grow adult quills) which is a painful time for any hedgehog thus around this age hedgehogs tend to be huffy. When your hedgehog reaches you its your turn to pick up were your breeder left off...YOU have to make it friendly, a poorly handled hedgehog during quilling means a more than likely huffy adult hog. I can assure you all the time you spend with your hedgehog will be worth it. (even if at the time its huffing and puffing at you, it doesnt seem like it).
They are no dog, cat, rat...they require patience and this is something you will need as your hedgehog goes through its stages of life.
Are they cute? Yes. Are they the perfect lap partner? No. Unless you make them that way. It takes time and some hedgehogs will be way more interested in running around the room than sitting watching soaps on your knee.
They are no dog, cat, rat...they require patience and this is something you will need as your hedgehog goes through its stages of life.
Are they cute? Yes. Are they the perfect lap partner? No. Unless you make them that way. It takes time and some hedgehogs will be way more interested in running around the room than sitting watching soaps on your knee.
Is a hedgehog right for me?
Wise question.....
Its not about if its cute you should get one it's about if it suits your life style. Many animals are independent and can go through life with little handling without a care in the world however African pygmy hedgehogs are NOT this kind of pet. They require daily handling, patience, enrichment and most of all love, as I said earlier a poorly handled hedgehog is a huffy hedgehog.
Here are some questions to ask yourself....
Here are some questions to ask yourself....
- Do I have the space? hedgehogs need a 3ft minimum sized viv, zoozone 2 and this can be quite a big thing to have sat in your lounge/bedroom.
- Do I have time? hedgehogs are time consuming, handling daily is required as well as spot cleaning of the cage and the not so easy task of cleaning the wheel.
- Do I have patience? Being huffed, popped and hissed at daily while quilling can get sore and tiring, not for the faint tempered.
- Do I have the knowledge? Because of its exotic status its important to know about the animal you are getting, you need to source a vet and know about basic enrichment, health and behavior.