1. What is a hedgehog?

The animal that we sell is an African Pygmy Hedgehog. They are also referred to as four-toed white bellied hedgehogs. Their back is covered with a layer of quills. Hedgehog quills are hard and sharp when they are younger. These tend to dull down as they age. Their belly, legs and face are covered in a soft white fur. They have big, round ears and round eyes. This helps them at night (they are nocturnal). Hedgehogs have two muscles that run along the sides of their bodies. When they feel threatened, and when they sleep, they can contract this muscle and roll into a ball. Being in a ball is a defense mechanism for the hedgehog because the animal can protect it's belly.

African Pygmy Hedgehogs are small in size and the average weight is between .5 to 1.5 pounds with a length of 5-8 inches long. I consider them about the half the size of a full grown guinea pig. Hedgehogs do no give off any offensive odors and with proper care and diet the average life span will be 5-7 years.  Hedgehogs do not require any type of immunization and are very disease resistant and easy to care for.

Quality of life depends on proper care and good nutrition. 

Hedgehogs are solitary animals. They really only like companionship when they mate. Therefore, buying one is an okay decision. During the day, hedgehogs like to sleep and burrow. We give each of our hedgehogs a nesting box and a polar fleece sleeping bag to curl up in.

 2. What colors do hedgehogs come in?

Currently hedgehog come in white, albino, apricot, cinnacot, cimmamon, chocolate and gray varieties and pintos. For a more complete listing of colors please visit www.hedgehogcentral.com

3. How do I tell a male from a female?

You have to first get the hedgehog to uncurl from a ball. Get a peek at the hedgehog's belly. Females have their vaginal opening near their tail. Males have their penal sheath located further up on their belly and it looks more like a belly button. Some males show a slight swelling between their sheath and anus which is where their testicles are internally located. 

 4. Which gender makes for a better pet?

After handling many, many hedgehogs, we have come to the conclusion that there is NO personality difference between males and females. The most important thing is to pick out the hedgehog that feels right to you.

5. What is that noise my hedgehog is making?

Hedgehogs make a variety of noises that will probably sound unlike anything you have heard before. If a hedgehog is nervous, scared or angry, they will emit a huffing warning sounds. It sounds like a motor warming up. When you touch an aggrivated hedgehog, they will then make a popping and clicking sound. This is a warning signal that is usually not backed up by anything more. When a male is placed with a female, he needs to sing to her in order to get her to ovulate (hedgehogs are induced ovulators). He will sing and chirp at her. Although this is off pitch, it is a pleasant sound to a fellow hedgehog. Baby hedgehogs will squeak to locate their mother. This will usually go away when they get older.

6. What type of cage should I keep my hedgehog in?

When looking for a cage, you want to keep in mind what hedgehogs like. Hedgehogs like to burrow, they also like to keep warm when it is cold out. For this reason, we keep most of our hedgehogs in 96 quart Sterilite cages. We do have some that use a large guinea pig/rabbit cage with a flat base. No wires what so ever this will hurt your hedgehogs feet.

7. What will I need for my hedgehog?

FOOD BOWL: The food bowl needs to be fairly wide and heavy to prevent your pet from dumping out its contents and using it as a toy. Small ceramic crocks that are designed for small rodents are perfect food dishes for hedgehogs. The width or diameter of the dish can be 3 to 6 inches and it should be no more than 3 inches high.

WATER BOTTLE: Water bottles are preferred over open dishes. Hedgehogs love to fill open water dishes with shavings and this prevents them from getting enough water to drink.

HIDING PLACE: This can be as simple as a piece of 4 inch PVC pipe, an old plastic pitcher, or an old shoe box with a hole cut in one end. (this should be replaced every 2 to 3 weeks).

Bedding: Aspen or Pine shavings NOT CEDAR!!!! Are best of choice for bedding material. Place approximately two inches of bedding material evenly over the floor of the cage.

8. How often do I clean the cage?

You will want to spot clean the cage and clean your hedgehogs wheel daily. A full cleaning will need to be completed one to two times a week just depending how messy your hedgehog is.  

 9. Can I bathe my hedgehog?

Yes! And you probably want to. Some hedgehogs are good about keeping clean. Some just aren't. They get poop on their feet and can be generally messy. In this case, you will want to bathe them. When hedgehogs are young and not fully grown, We suggest putting them in water where they can keep their head above the water level. Keep it warm but not hot. It helps to have something at the bottom of the water to rub their feet on. This can be a towel or some astroturf. Also a soft toothbrush works well for scrubbing the hedgie's quills along with J&J baby shampoo. When hedgehogs get older, they can be placed in warm water that is deep. If the hedgehog struggles or is not doing well, this is too deep for them. We have had hedgehogs that really liked to swim and hedgehogs that act like they are going to die if you put them in it.

 When the bath is over, this is a good time to trim their nails. Grab a small pair of cuticle cutters or baby nail clippers and trim off the clear end of the nail. Make sure you aren't cutting into the nerves. If you hit a bad spot and the nail starts bleeding, rub the nail in septic powder or rub it into a dry bar of soap. We usually put a death-grip on the foot before cutting the nail.

10. How do I handle my hedgehog? How do I get him to be more social?

This is a very important part of the relationship you will have with your hedgehog. The calmer your hedgehog is when you hold him, the easier your relationship will be. We start holding hedgehogs here when they are 3 weeks old. This constant handling helps them to be familiar with being touched, pet and examined. But, this needs to continue consistently as they age.

Start by getting your hedgehog into your hands. Although gloves sound like a good option, they mask your smell and may make socialization harder. If the hedgehog starts to huff, do not be intimidated just continue to handle and they will usually open up. Have patience.

Ask the breeder to show you how to handle the hedgehog. Watch how he/she holds the animal, calms the animal and gets it to a calm state. Ask for recommendations. When a baby moves from a breeder he knew well to his new home, he has to adjust to the new owner's smells, handling and overall demeanor. This can take several days. Instead of leaving the hedgehog alone, pick him up every chance you get to get him used to you. It is more important that he gets used to you than gets used to his cage. He has all night to do that! A calm hedgehog that was held early (most likely from a breeder) should uncurl from a ball fairly quickly and should walk around within minutes.

A good temperament is not a permanent hedgehog state. This is reinforced by constant handling. On average, you should be spending 2-3 hours a day with your hedgehog every day. If you do not have this time, then a hedgehog is not for you.

 If you have any other questions feel free to call or email us.