.jpg)
I’m aware that most of my posts on the Pets blog relate to cats or dogs. They’re the most common pets in America, and also the two pets I own, so the majority of my articles focus on them. I thought I’d change things up a bit, however, with a new recurring column on rare pets.
Today I take a look at the hedgehog. Hedgehogs have fascinated me from an early age, ever since my childhood introduction to Sonic the Hedgehog, a video game and cartoon character. Real hedgehogs, however, don’t look anything like Sonic, with his spiky blue ‘do and red running sneakers.
I did get an introduction to real hedgehogs as pets five years ago. One of my college friends loved animals; he kept a gecko, desert lizard, box turtle, and chameleon in his dorm room.
My friend soon moved off-campus and then he bought yet another pet: a hedgehog. The little guy was adorable; he loved to scurry across the room, and whenever he did so, he made quick little pitter-patter noises I associate with the sound effects used for toddler footsteps in cartoons. Well-trained for handling, he also liked to cuddle as best he could given his spikes, huddling against my leg.
As usually happens whenever I encounter a cute new potential pet, the experience made me want a hedgehog. Choosing a correct one, and knowing how to take care of it, can be difficult due to their uncommon status as pets in America, hence today’s blog.
If you’re an American considering a hedgehog as a pet, be very careful where you purchase one. Due to invasive species laws, sometimes hedgehogs are illegal or require a permit. According to hedgehog breeding web site Hedgehog Central, the little mammals are illegal in these states: California, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Hawaii. They are also illegal within the five boroughs of New York City, and in Douglas County, Nebraska. Maine and Arizona require special permits for hedgehog ownership.
Because of the often-tricky laws relating to hedgehog ownership, your best bet for purchasing one is to go to a licensed breeder. That might make them more expensive, but breeders should understand your state or county’s hedgehog laws, thus reducing the chances of accidentally purchasing an illegal pet.
The International Hedgehog Association has some tips for everything else you should think about when getting a hedgehog. They don’t like to share cages, so just get one per cage. Only put a male and female together if you want them to breed, because they’re ready to start doing so at eight weeks of age.
You can take your hedgehog home once they turn six weeks old. You’ll have to keep your new pet in a close-topped cage, because they’re excellent at climbing and can easily escape. If you do want an open-topped cage, make sure it’s one with slippery sides that are at least a foot high.
Hedgehogs will use litter boxes (which you can fill with cat litter) if you want to make cleaning up after your pet easier. But you can also just let them use the wood chips/shavings in their cage.
You can buy dry hedgehog food at some pet stores or online that will be your hedgehog’s main staple (they can also eat higher quality cat food), but you can supplement that three or four times a week with veggies, fruit, cooked meat, and mealworms.
Like I mentioned earlier, hedgehogs like to run about for exercise, so it’s recommended to give your new pet an exercise wheel as well.
Hedgehogs are well-tempered pets whose required care resembles that needed for small rodents like hamsters and guinea pigs. Just make sure you stay informed on your hedgehog’s care–and the ownership laws in your area of residence–but otherwise, you shouldn’t have any trouble with these sweet small pets.
Related Articles:
Hedgehog Care: Housing and Feeding
Assault with a Deadly Hedgehog
McDonald’s Succumbs To The Hedgehog
*(This image by yoppy is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
