Issue 4
African
Hedgehogs
WHAT ARE THEY?
African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are small nocturnal
(active at night) insect-eating mammals that have gained popularity
as pets in recent years. They are also known as white-bellied, four-toed,
or Central African hedgehogs. There are 14 other related species
of hedgehogs throughout Europe, China, Asia and Africa which are
not commonly kept as pets. The hedgehogs found in the pet market
today are almost all bred domestically.
Adult African hedgehogs range from 6.5 to
9 inches long, and 11-16 oz. (250-600 grams). Their lifespan in
captivity ranges from 4-10 years. Over their backs, hedgehogs have
short spines which are sharp, but not barbed. They have soft white
fur on their bellies and legs. They can roll into a tight ball,
covering their faces and feet, with all their spines erect. It can
be difficult and painful to handle them in this state.
Once they relax, their spines will lie flat
on the body. Hedgehogs are not related to porcupines and, unlike
porcupines, their spines should not come off easily. If a hedgehog
doesn't have many spines, or the spines easily fall off, it's likely
to have an infestation of mites (discussed later under common problems).
HOUSING
African hedgehogs live in an arid environment
and do not do well in temperature extremes. They can succumb to
respiratory infections if the temperature is too cold, and can even
hibernate in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid placing
the cage directly next to a window and avoid air conditioning drafts.
Hedgehogs do best in temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Climates that are too warm can cause problems
as well. If the temperature gets above 85, they can die of heat
stress (so don't ever leave them in a hot car!). Their body temperature
is usually between 95 and 96 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hedgehogs should be kept in as large an enclosure
as possible. A common problem with hedgehogs is a lack of exercise,
which can lead to obesity. If they are taken out of the cage to
exercise often, a cage that is 180 square inches (12" x 15") MINIMUM
would be adequate.
An easy and inexpensive cage can be made out
of a heavy plastic tub (used for mixing concrete) or an aquarium
that can hold at least 20 gallons of water. Ideally, a mini-habitat
that is at least eight square feet can be set up. Only one hedgehog
should be kept in a cage, as they are not social animals and prefer
to live in solitude.
A hiding area or nest box is very important
for the mental health of your pet. The area should be large enough
for the hedgehog to turn around in, but not too oversized (hedgehogs
like a cozy fit when sleeping). The most common material used for
a nest box is a 10" length of four inch diameter PVC pipe capped
on one end. Other possible materials include cardboard, wood, plastic
boxes, or flower pots. The nest box can be stuffed with soft hay,
shredded paper or left empty.
The bottom of the cage should have at least
three inches of bedding to allow for hedgehogs' natural digging
behavior. Pelleted paper bedding, such as yesterday's newspaper,
works well. Avoid cedar shavings, as the oils can be very irritating.
If pine shavings are used, make sure to clean the cage often, because
the shavings can cause skin irritation if left wet. Do not use wire
flooring, which can damage a hedgehog's feet.
Hedgehogs can be trained to use a litter box.
A small tray with non-clumping litter can be placed in one corner
of the cage. Be sure to use low dust material for litter, to prevent
irritation of the eyes and respiratory system. They cannot be house
trained, however, and might go to the bathroom when taken out of
the cage. The bathroom area must be cleaned daily and the bedding
should be changed every two weeks.
EXERCISE AND YOUR HEDGEHOG
As discussed previously, hedgehogs are prone
to weight problems from lack of exercise. To prevent these problems,
a variety of toys should be available, like rawhide and leather
toys, or paper bags and empty boxes to explore.
A rock or log can be placed in the cage for
climbing. Some hedgehogs will use exercise wheels. A good out-of-cage
exercise is to put a stopper in an empty, paper-lined bathtub. Add
a few open-ended boxes and some shredded paper. Then, place the
hedgehog in the tub, turn off the lights and let it explore! Be
sure that the enclosure is at least 10" high, as they are good climbers
and can run six feet per second if they get loose!
FEEDING HEDGEHOGS
Hedgehogs are omnivores, primarily insectivores.
In the wild they eat a wide variety of food items, including insects,
slugs, snails, carrion, mice, some roots, berries, and plant material.
In captivity, they need a four to eight oz. water bottle, test tube
style waterer or water dish. Two food bowls should be available,
one for dry food and one for moist food. One hedgehog should receive
one tbsp. dry dog food, dry cat food, or dry hedgehog food per day.
For moist food, you can feed one tsp. canned dog or cat food, one
tsp. low-fat cottage cheese, or one tsp. of the following mixture:
Mixture: 1/3 cup of cottage cheese, 1/3
cup canned dog or cat food, and 1 hard-boiled egg, chopped. Add
2 tbsp. of chopped apple, sweet potato, halved grapes, banana, greens,
or similar food. Feed 1/2-1 tsp. of mixture each night and remove
remainder in the morning.
In addition to dry and moist food, you can
feed three to five mealworms, one waxworm, a couple of crickets,
small pieces of earthworm or cooked skinless chicken one to two
times a week and remove remainder in the morning. If the hedgehog
is a pregnant or nursing female, double or triple the amount fed
to keep up with increased calorie needs.
HEDGEHOG BEHAVIOR
Hedgehogs will tell you a lot about what they
are thinking with body language and sounds. In general, a rolled
up hedgehog is expressing distrust or fear. When the spines on the
forehead are erect, this indicates surprise or caution. If disturbed,
a hedgehog may erect spines on the part of the body near the disturbance.
If the spines are flat along the back and body, the hedgehog is
not afraid.
Hedgehogs have two particularly interesting
behaviors. When scenting or tasting something, they might hold their
snouts high and curl their upper lips, called the Flehman response.
If it is a new smell, they sometimes lick and create a foam which
they spread all over their flanks and back. This is called self-
anointing.
Hedgehogs communicate with a variety of sounds.
They will blow and puff when disturbed or annoyed. When exploring,
a snuffling sound is often heard. They will chirp, squeak, and whistle
when they are happy or content, but can scream loudly if in danger
or severe pain.
Hedgehogs are quiet, calm animals by nature
and should be handled accordingly. Their quills are sharp but not
dangerous. To handle them, scoop them up with both hands and let
them rest there until comfortable. If you should happen to get bitten
or scratched, wash well with soap and water, and see your physician.
Hedgehogs can carry Salmonella, tetanus and fungi, and can infect
your skin.
BREEDING
NAHA (North American Hedgehog Association)
is an organization for hedgehog breeders and enthusiasts. It was
established in 1993, and is dedicated to the highest standards of
care and husbandry techniques for hedgehogs.
NAHA publishes a bimonthly magazine and has
a register for breeders. It is best to buy your hedgehog from a
NAHA breeder, who will provide you with a health certificate and
pedigree for your new pet. NAHA is also an invaluable source of
information. If you plan to breed your animals, be sure to join
NAHA for more information.
Hedgehogs reach sexual maturity as early as
eight weeks of age, but should not be bred until physically mature
-- at least six months of age. If bred too early, the mother and
babies might die. Mating is very noisy and if the female is not
receptive, she might fight and possibly injure the male.
After breeding, the female should be moved
to her own individual cage to birth and raise the young, or else
cannibalism may result. Gestation lasts 32-37 days with a litter
size of one to seven (the average litter size is three). The pups
weigh an average of 10 grams at birth. The mother and pups should
be left undisturbed during the first week in the nest.
The cage can be spot cleaned as needed, and
the pups can be handled for weighing only if the mother has left
the nest on her own. The pups' eyes should open at 14-18 days of
age, and they wean between three and six weeks of age. Hedgehogs
will breed year-round and can have one to two litters per year.
The babies should not be sold until at least eight weeks of age.
MEDICAL PROBLEMS
Hedgehogs can attract external parasites including
fleas, mites and ticks. The most common parasite is sarcoptes mites,
which cause a lot of flaking, waxy plugs in the ears, and excessive
loss of quills. External parasites can be treated with injections
by your veterinarian. In addition, hedgehogs can get internal parasites
such as lungworms and intestinal parasites. Therefore, for the yearly
check-up, it is recommended that you bring a stool sample.
Hedgehogs can also get pneumonia, which causes
runny eyes, nasal discharge and sneezing. This is a very serious
illness, and if you suspect your hedgehog to have pneumonia, you
should see your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Eye infections can occur from digging around
and often require medical treatment.
Hedgehogs can become constipated if they are
stressed or are eating only dry food. Signs of constipation include
a hard, distended abdomen and decreased stool. You can give your
pet 8-10 drops of milk of magnesia, combined with a little water.
If no droppings are produced by the next day, see your veterinarian.
Conversely, diarrhea can occur if too much
food is given or if the food is too rich. If you notice diarrhea,
feed only dry food and water for one to two days, gradually adding
moist food after the diarrhea resolves. If the diarrhea does not
clear up in a couple of days, see your veterinarian.
Hedgehogs can contract dental disease and
might need to have their teeth cleaned occasionally. Your pet's
teeth should be checked at its yearly examination.
Lack of exercise and overfeeding can result
in obesity and overgrown nails. Obesity can lead to other diseases
and may shorten the life of your pet. Prevention is the best cure.
You should take your hedgehog to the veterinarian
for annual check-ups. Also, take your hedgehog in to the veterinarian
if any of the following occur: fasting for more than two nights,
a sudden loss of appetite, diarrhea for more than two days, sneezing
or coughing blood, vomiting, limping or staggering, or an injury.
CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE YOU BUY
Before buying one of these interesting animals,
be sure to consider the responsibility you are undertaking. Make
sure you can afford a suitable cage and food, as well as possible
veterinary expenses. In addition, you should ask yourself if you
have the time and patience to adequately feed, clean and exercise
a hedgehog. Once you decide to buy-one of these wonderful animals,
research suppliers, choose your new healthy friend, and enjoy!
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Information in this handout was compiled from:
1) Ain't No Creek Ranch, Inc.
Dawn Wrobel (NAHA Breeder)
2553 West Offner Road Beecher, IL 60401
2) North American Hedgehog Association
PO Box 122 Nogal, New Mexico 88341
(505) 648-2835
3) Hedgehogs: A Complete Owner's Guide
Matthew M. Vriends, Ph.D.
(Barron's Publishing)
Additional information can be found on the
Internet, as well as in the book Everything You Wanted To Know
About Hedgehogs and Didn't Know Who To Ask by Pat Storer.
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