Hedgehogs are rapidly gaining popularity as an exotic pet. They’re cute, furry, and warm-blooded – traits that most pet owners look for in a pet. The most popular varieties are the African Pygmy hedgehog and the African White-bellied hedgehog. They weigh only eight to fourteen ounces and measure around six to ten inches. They come in different styles, uh, colors. Most are black and white with shades of gray thrown here and there. There are also rare brownish varieties as well as spotted ones. Their life span in captivity is only four to six years but they’ll be years well spent in entertaining you and the whole family. They’re curious creatures, easily tamed, and love to cuddle with their owners. Unfortunately, they do have some special needs so letting a child take care of them isn’t recommended.

Looking around for a hedgehog

If you’ve decided to take care of these marvelous creatures, then you’ll have to buy one from a reputable breeder or pet shop. Wild-caught hedgehogs make poor pets and may be carriers of certain transmissible diseases. Breeders are your best bets since they are more likely to take better care of the young hedgehogs than the pet shops. Hedgehogs may sometimes be put up for adoption by animal shelters. You can save some money if you go for this option but you may have to shell out some cash for vaccinations, de-worming, anti-tick and flea solutions and such. Pick the ones with a clean tail and anal area. Their feces should be dry and darns and not green or runny.

Hedgehogs lead solitary lives in the wild. You shouldn’t get more than one unless you can house them separately, or in a very large cage. They’re very territorial and keeping a couple of them might lead to bullying or the death of the weaker of the two.

Hedgehog home

Hedgehogs need at least three square feet of space. They’re active little critters and if you can afford a cage bigger than that, so much the better. They will need to be able to exercise inside their cage or they’ll get bored and fat. Like rats and hamsters, hedgehogs will enjoy make use of exercise wheels. Your hedgehog will appreciate having a bedding of aspen or pine shavings (although they’re averse to cedar). Recycled newspaper will also do just fine. Hedgehogs may or may not use a litter box; in any case, it can’t hurt to provide it with one lined with unscented clumping cat litter. A shoe box with one end cut off will give your hedgehog a perfect ‘den’ to sleep in.

The hedgehog diet

In the wild, hedgehogs live on a diet of insects; as such you should give them a high protein diet. High protein varieties of cat food will suffice but commercially sold hedgehog food is best. Supplement their diet with fresh meat, crickets, and worms. They may also learn to use water bottles but if you’re using a bowl, make sure that it is not easily tipped over.