Several kinds of hedgehog are kept as pets. The most common one is the four-toed hedgehog or an African pygmy hedgehog in other words. This pet which is not very common but is becoming more and more popular can live up to 9 years in captivity and weighs only 300–700 g. This kind is particularly popular at keepers mainly for its kind nature and quite easy keeping. It becomes tame quite easily and gets used to being carried in hand and is not vicious.
Several kinds of hedgehog are kept as pets. The most common one is the four-toed hedgehog or an African pygmy hedgehog in other words. This pet which is not very common but is becoming more and more popular can live up to 9 years in captivity and weighs only 300–700 g. This kind is particularly popular at keepers mainly for its kind nature and quite easy keeping. It becomes tame quite easily and gets used to being carried in hand and is not vicious.
Opposed to most other pets which are kept in cages or boxes, such as rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs, a hedgehog is a solitaire. But you have to take into account that hedgehogs are also active at night. They sleep during the day and wake up in the evening. In today’s rush, this independent cute animal is a perfect pet for working people. On the other hand, it is not very good for children because of its night activity and thorns.
While some hedgehogs are quite calm, others are able to be active all night. Also, the time when they wake up may be different for different individuals. While one can start waking up at around six in the afternoon, some will sleep until midnight.
You might also be surprised that four-toed hedgehog doesn’t hibernate as you are used to in hedgehogs you can see in the nature. Moreover, hibernation is dangerous for this African breed and can result in death. Another thing that might surprise you is its habit to throw saliva behind his back. Noone has found out why they do that yet. But it is related to getting acquainted with new smells and tastes. Most often, you can notice that in young hedgehogs. What is not very surprising is curling up when a hedgehog feels endangered. But you might not know they growl, sniff and bounce when doing that.
When a hedgehog is going through puberty, it is really something for the owners. When growing up, it changes its thorns which is very unpleasant and the animals can be very mean. The behaviour will rapidly worsen but when the thorns get changed, it will go back to normal.
If you decide to get a little thorny pet, it is worth it to buy a hedgehog with a known family tree. Like for all animals, after all. It is kept as a pet for a relatively short period of time and its current population is from almost 90 % related. Therefore, mating has to be done carefully to maximally minimize the chance of having a genetic defect.
As it was previously mentioned, hedgehogs are independent solitaires. They are often compared to cats with regard to their nature. They are independent, open-minded creatures but usually make a bond with one person who they trust limitlessly then. This trust is very fragile and you can lose it easily, only by administering a medicine or some careless manipulation.
Even though this animal is a solitaire, it is important to spend enough time with the hedgehog every day. Particularly when it’s young, so it can get used to you. A young hedgehog needs to be reminded of a human hand and contact with it every day. For older hedgehogs, the need of contact is not so big if the animal gets everything it needs. It includes quality food, i.e. cat dry food and pouches besides insects, enough space and joys to keep it active.
Do you also have a hedgehog at home? What is its nature, does it remind you of a cat?
Every one of us has for sure encountered diarrhoea in our fuzzy friend. Usually, there’s nothing to fuss about, the body reacts to food that it isn’t capable to digest or that didn’t do it good. However, it is good to know, when we are capable of...
I have been sharing with you my experience with dogs and other animals for quite some time now and it occurred to me to wander a little bit into history as well, but into an interesting one! I’d like to introduce you to several well-known dog...
Allergy is a disproportionate reaction of the immunity system to common stimuli. It cannot be cured, but we can suppress its manifestations. In the last years, allergies in pets and dogs especially are on the rise. Currently, about 10% of house-dogs...
Today, we are going to take a look at the Feline Infectious Peritonitis - FIP, an utterly exceptional virus illness that always has a fatal end. Most of the cats get into contact with the viruses that cause FIP in their lifetime, even though the...
We can divide dog owners into two groups. The ones that allow the dog in bed and those that feel that this is no option. Let’s take a look at what such bed sharing with a dog actually entails.
If you like going on treks with your fuzzy friends, geocaching is something precisely for you. This way, you will liven up your trips and maybe you even discover places that you wouldn’t have found otherwise. I and my pack can’t get enough of it.
Contrary to dogs, cats have a strong bond with the place where they live. That’s why moving is very stressful for them and this stress may cause a number of diseases. It’s a good idea to plan everything well, so that you could make the situation of a...
Even though the dogs went through long years of domestication, they still retain fundamental instincts as we do. They might not be as strong as in wild dogs, but they still play a very significant role in the life of a dog and in their behaviour. So if...
Even though it’s been a long time since our four-legged furry friends lived a feral life, they still have the laws of the pack rooted deep down inside them. It is not acquired behaviour, the need to live in a pack is determined by genetics. And if...
It is no news that the dog isn’t only a pet and that it can also help saving human lives in various catastrophes. But have you ever thought about what it means for dogs to become rescuers? You haven’t? Well, then it’s the right time to set off together...
The usual pregnancy period in female dogs is indicated at about 58 – 65 days, the average is 63 days. In case of the nutrition of a pregnant female, possible changes in diet can be likened to the changes in diet of pregnant women. Pregnant female dogs...
The most frequent reason why your dog starts to gain weight is simple, as in most of people: they consume more energy than they spend. Some owners wave their arm at a well-intended warning that their pet has gained weight, stating that the dog is...
