Nowadays it has become very popular to have a hedgehog as a pet, as these are small and very cute animals. They belong to the Erinaceinae family and there are 16 species of hedgehogs that are distributed throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. These are especially nocturnal animals so they eat and are active at night.
Characteristics and behavior of the hedgehog
One of the most relevant characteristics of hedgehogs are those keratin hairs that are hard and have a cylindrical structure, these are known as quills. Although these do not have any poison nor are they sharp, they can cause damage to those who prick them and cause pain. When a hedgehog is in its young age it can lose some of its quills, this also happens when the animal is subjected to moments of stress.
When the hedgehog feels threatened or in danger, they tend to roll up their body making it look like a "ball" full of fierce spikes, this is the way they defend themselves both in their natural habitat and in captivity.
On its little legs you can see five fingers which have very sharp nails at their ends which they use to dig into the ground and thus get their food which consists essentially of insects. They locate their prey using their sense of smell, they walk while sniffing the ground, most of their time is spent sniffing because that way they know what is around them.
The size of these small mammals is between 10 and 15 centimeters and their weight does not exceed 400 grams as they are very small and light animals. They are known to be nocturnal, however they are most active during twilight, it is at this time that they can be seen foraging, eating or exploring. During the day they spend mostly asleep or inside their burrows where they are safe.
Hedgehogs, depending on the time of year and the amount of food they have in their territory, can enter a period of lethargy. They, like many other mammals, can go into hibernation or stow.
The way hedgehogs communicate is through different sounds that can be growls or screeches. These little ones are very sensitive to loud sounds and sudden movements since, being so small, they manage to destabilize and stun them easily.
When they are exposed to this type of situation, their defense mechanism is activated and that is when they turn into small balls of spikes. During this state of agitation, the hedgehog's breathing is accelerated and it will only calm down when it feels that it is out of danger.
They have been considered as curious beings since when something with a new or unknown smell is presented to them, they tend to approach that object and begin to sniff and nibble it, after they carry out this inspection they will lick it, impregnating their saliva in them. . Doing this is something very common in this species of mammals, it is considered a custom or ritual called "anointing".
What is it like to have a pet hedgehog?
We will begin by clarifying that the hedgehog is not a domestic animal but a wild one, since these are animals that are mostly found in nature and very few have constant contact with humans, unlike dogs and cats that already for many years they have lived closely with people. These Types of animals They tend to behave differently from domestic ones.
Having them in captivity completely changes their daily habits that are common in their natural habitat, since their behavior and needs are different being in nature, one of these is having the need to dig in the ground to obtain food or to live inside their burrows.
People who decide to have a hedgehog as pets must have sufficient knowledge about the etiology of this species, otherwise it could result in them adopting unusual behaviors and becoming overly stressed. In addition to this, not taking care of them properly can cause different pathological diseases that negatively affect the health of the hedgehog.
If we make the serious mistake of having the hedgehog as a pet without knowing everything about them, we would not only be violating the five freedoms of animal welfare, which are: freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain and disease, free to express themselves and free from fear and stress, but we would also be risking the species as such, since the hedgehog could become seriously ill and even die due to not taking adequate care.
Hedgehogs are solitary, so we must bear in mind that these animals are not going to be very active or social during the day, in addition to this they are not beings that show too much affection. They are animals that we will see sleep most of the day and only during the twilight will they begin to be more active, during those hours we will see them come out of their burrow or hiding place and begin to be more active and energetic.
If you have a hedgehog as a pet, keep in mind that they can do many things to improve the environment where they live and make it more similar to their natural habitat. You can start by creating small tunnels where they can easily enter and exit, placing some vegetation that gives the feeling of nature around them or something else that makes their environment a little more similar to their natural environment and that helps them develop their senses and keep your little body fit and healthy.
At the beginning and while the hedgehog is not used to your presence, it is best to handle it protecting your hands to avoid pricking yourself with its quills, you can begin to gain its trust by approaching it and giving it small portions of fruits, vegetables or worms, the latter they love and are one of their favorite foods.
While this "adaptation" process occurs, it will be normal to notice that the animal has a little more agitated breathing than normal, has soft sneezes and that its nose does not stop moving and sniffing everything, as this indicates trying to recognize and adapt to what happens.
Although hedgehogs can get used to the constant presence of a human being near them, in many cases the animal is not very sociable with its owner, and some may never get over their fear of humans. Before adopting an animal of this species, you must take into account all these points, since the rate of abandonment of them is very high due to the fact that their owners adopt them without knowing what they are like and end up rejecting them and leaving them abandoned.
Where can I adopt a hedgehog as a pet?
One of the traditional ways to find out about adopting hedgehogs as pets is to search the internet for the places where you can obtain them legally, however, there are different places where you can safely adopt hedgehogs and where they will help you. about your care.
- Exotic animal shelters: You can call, research, and even go to one of these shelters and ask if they have hedgehogs available for adoption, or ask about proper care for them.
Exotic shelters are the salvation of those hedgehogs abandoned by their previous owners because they did not know about their care and decided not to take care of them anymore. You will most likely have to apply for adoption and go through some testing and research before the animal is given to you.
- Places with health and origin certificates: When adopting, avoid doing it in clandestine places, since they have mostly obtained the hedgehogs illegally. Make sure that the place where you are going to adopt them complies with the corresponding rules and certificates that endorse them as safe places for their care or upbringing, among them are the store selling exotic animals, hatcheries or shelters.
Basic care of the hedgehog as a pet
Now we are going to learn a little about the care that hedgehogs as pets require on a daily basis and that will make them have a much healthier life in captivity. You must remember that you need to know about this species so that you can give a better quality of life not only to hedgehogs but to any of the other Exotic animals that you decide to adopt or take care of.
Taking care of them properly will make the difference between a healthy animal and an unhealthy one. It will depend on you as its owner, to make sure that it has the best quality of life that it can have, exotic animals can be very delicate, especially these small hedgehogs, because if they do not do so, they can suffer from diseases that could put their lives at risk and could even kill them.
cage of a hedgehog
When it comes to giving your hedgehog a place, you should keep in mind that the bigger it is, the better and more comfortable it will be. You should keep in mind that the less you skimp and the more comforts and environments you place, the more beneficial place you will be. It is recommended that the size of the cage is a minimum size of 175 x 70 x 50 centimeters.
Getting a cage that is especially for hedgehogs is not very likely, that is why you should get one that suits your needs and of adequate size, you could even make one yourself as long as you make it safe and with all the requirements. The most recommended thing is that said cage has several levels where the animal can explore and that the separation between its bars does not exceed 2 cm, so it will not be able to escape or get out of the cage. Doing so would be very dangerous for the animal.
Inside the cage, it is best to have the environment in the most natural way possible. There are specialized stores where this type of natural items are sold that serve as environments for various pets, even some veterinarians have the sale of them. It is recommended to avoid the use of wheels for Hamster in hedgehog cages.
One of the things that we must place will be a kind of nest that they take as their den, there they can hide and sleep during the day, it will be their safe haven. In addition to the above, it is also advisable to place trunks, vegetation and even walkways that motivate them to move and exercise, this will contribute to a good physical condition.
The temperature in which they must live must be between 25 ºC and 27 ºC, for this reason it is recommended that heating be purchased especially for them, especially during the days of hell, this will prevent the hedgehog from going into hibernation. It is extremely important to maintain good hygiene in his cage, so the environment will be required to be disinfected two or three times a week to avoid infections or diseases. Hedgehogs do not need to be bathed on a regular basis.
Food
The most appropriate thing is that the hedgehogs are fed during their busiest hours, this means that the appropriate time is during twilight and at dawn. You will be able to buy food for hedgehogs in a common market, since they can eat fruits and vegetables, but if you cannot find them or you are not entirely sure, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian specialized in exotic animals who will guide you and teach you which food is better. for the hedgehog and where to buy it.
They usually eat insects which are low fat foods. However, it is recommended that their diet not only consist of insects but that they also eat fruits and vegetables, but it will make their diet more balanced and adequate.
Can they live with other animals?
It is not advisable to have a hedgehog as a pet if there are going to be other animals in its environment, because hedgehogs are extremely nervous beings and are affected by loud sounds and surprising movements, so they could create a habit of constant stress that would affect their behavior. and health.
If you decide to adopt a hedgehog as a pet, it is best that it gets all your attention and care and that we avoid placing them in stressful situations because they are animals that live alone and are not used to being surrounded by other animals, they will have enough with the process of suit you.
Hedgehog diseases
If you have already decided to have a hedgehog as a pet, you must take into consideration everything related to its health, as this is extremely important. It is not enough just to know what diseases hedgehogs can suffer from, but you must maintain veterinary control, you must take them once or twice a year to be seen by a doctor specializing in exotic animals who will be able to detect if they suffer from any disease or prevent it from happening.
Next, we will talk a little about the most common diseases that hedgehogs suffer from as pets:
- Dry Skin: this occurs especially during the winter due to the cold, this disease can cause the animal's skin to dry and flake, causing it to even lose some of its quills. It is recommended to take it to the veterinarian and follow the instructions recommended by him.
- Parasites: Contracting parasites can be due to various factors, among them being regularly outside, contracting parasites from other animals or that hygiene in the hedgehog is not optimal. To treat this parasitic disease, the appropriate product prescribed by the veterinarian must be acquired.
- Diarrhea: the presence of soft stools can be parasitic, due to ingestion of unsuitable food or poisoning. Care must be taken that the animal does not become dehydrated and drink water. It is recommended to go to the vet immediately.
- Obesity: It is necessary for the hedgehog to have a diet according to its species and its age, since excess weight can cause serious problems. This is one of the most common diseases of hedgehogs in captivity.
- Cold: This usually happens when the animal lives in a climate different from its own, especially in very cold climates. This is why it is necessary to be aware that the hedgehog is in a place with the right temperature. Between 25 and 27ºC.
- Tangled hair on the legs: It can be common for human hair to get entangled in the small legs of the hedgehog, this can be very dangerous as it could cut off circulation and cause the animal to lose its leg or severely damage it. So it is important to keep the hedgehogs' feet clean and inspect them.
The life of the hedgehog in captivity can reach approximately 8 years. If you notice that your pet does not act as it normally does or that it shows symptoms of being sick, you must go immediately to a specialist in its species who will be in charge of evaluating and treating it appropriately.
