[The picture is from Clearlake Veterinary Clinic,the copyright belongs to the original author]

If you want an African pygmy hedgehog but do not know how to start, do not worry! I own three hedgehogs. I have some good tips to help you avoid common mistakes.

African pygmy hedgehogs are clean and simple pets. They are usually under 20 cm long. They weigh between 300 and 600 grams. Many new owners ask, "Do hedgehogs smell? Will their quills poke me? Are they hard to keep?" These hedgehogs do not have a strong smell.¹ Keep their home clean and they will not smell. Male hedgehogs can smell more than females. You can fix this with regular cleaning.

These animals are night animals. They sleep all day. They are active at night. They eat plants and meat. They like insects, frogs, fruits, and veggies. In the wild, they look for insects, grubs, and cockroaches in leaves and dirt. They also eat berries and plants.

A hedgehog's spines keep it safe. When a hedgehog is scared, its spines stand up. When it trusts you, it feels calm. Then the spines lie flat and will not poke you. You need patience and time with hedgehogs. Each hedgehog is different. A calm hedgehog will let you pet it. A shy one will need more time to learn. Hedgehogs like to be alone. They do not like other hedgehogs. Even two males or two females will fight for space. You should keep each hedgehog by itself.

How to pick a hedgehog?

You can find young hedgehogs from people near you. Look on social media or online groups. These hedgehogs are often healthy and gentle. They learn things from their mothers, like using a toilet. Do not buy hedgehogs online. Hedgehogs from the internet often come from big farms. These places sometimes have family inbreeding. The hedgehogs can get sick or hurt in the mail. Buying from a pet store is a bit better than online. But store hedgehogs may come from bad places and bad breeders. Try not to buy from a store.

[The picture is from Pet Assure,the copyright belongs to the original author]

Guide to Keeping Hedgehogs:

Equipment:

Get a PVC terrarium. It is big, easy to clean, and looks nice. It should be at least 80x50x50 cm. This gives the hedgehog space to move. Hedgehogs need the right temperature. Use a thermostatic heater with a thermostat. Do not use ceramic lamps. They can burn the hedgehog or break. Do not use sawdust or cotton for bedding. They can cause skin problems. Use pee pads or blankets. Blankets are warm in winter. You can train a hedgehog to use a toilet. A salad plate is a good toilet. Do not buy three-in-one toilets. Use tofu cat litter for bedding. It is safe. It is okay if the hedgehog eats a little. There are many water bottles. Some have a ball. Some have a small bowl. Pick the one you like. Use a small dish or condiment plate for a food bowl. It is easy to clean. Hedgehogs like to sleep in warm places. You can buy a nest. You can also make one with old towels and blankets. In summer, a ceramic nest keeps them cool.

Training:

Most hedgehogs do not like to be held. But they will let you hold them if you are gentle. Some will let you pick them up or let them crawl on you. To make them like people, you must hold them often and be soft. Many breeders already train them a little before they sell them.

A hedgehog that does not know you may roll into a ball. That is fine. Hold it softly in your hands. It will relax in a few minutes and unroll. It will learn you will not hurt it. Then it will look around. Do not put your fingers in its spines.

Meet a new hedgehog when it is awake. Evenings are good. They are more active then. They are less grouchy than when they are asleep. Use their favorite food to make them trust you. Mealworms work well. If a hedgehog hates being held, wrap it in a thick towel. Then you can pick it up.

Diet:

African pygmy hedgehogs are night animals. They eat plants and meat. They eat insects, frogs, fruits, and veggies. In the wild, they look for food in leaves and soil. They eat insects, grubs, and cockroaches. They also eat berries and plants.

Do not buy special hedgehog food. It does not have many nutrients. Buy high-protein, grain-free chicken cat food. Do not get seafood flavor. Hedgehogs can be allergic to it. You can also give them cooked chicken breast, broccoli, and eggs. Make sure the food is cooked. Do not use any spices. Hedgehogs can eat fruit. But do not give them acidic fruit like oranges. Make sure the fruit is safe for them. Only give a little bit.

[The picture is from Utica Zoo,the copyright belongs to the original author]

Cleaning:

Hedgehogs do not need many baths. But you must keep them clean. Use water that is about 37℃ for a bath. This protects their skin. Use a soft brush to clean their skin and spines. The hedgehog may poop in the water on its first bath. Change the water right away. Rinse the hedgehog well. Make sure the hedgehog is all clean and all dry. This stops skin problems.

Hedgehogs can take baths after they are three months old. You need a basin, a pet bath brush, and baby shampoo for hedgehogs.

Mating and Breeding:

Hedgehogs live alone. They only meet to have babies. The male walks in circles around the female. He makes sounds like sniffing, chuckling, and squeaking. This can last for hours. Sometimes males fight. They push and wrestle like cats.

The female is pregnant for about 4 weeks. She usually has 4 or 5 babies. Baby hedgehogs are called "piglets". Their spines are soft at birth. The spines are under the skin so they do not hurt the mother. The spines get hard and sharp after a few hours. The babies stay with their mother for about five weeks. Then they live on their own.

Temperature:

African pygmy hedgehogs do not like heat. Summer is hard for them. If it is too hot, they can get sick or get heatstroke. In summer, keep them out of the sun. Give them a lot of water. Use mineral water or water you boiled and cooled. Do not use tap water.

Toys and Fun:

Hedgehogs love running wheels. A 32-cm wheel is best. Small wheels are bad. They can hurt the hedgehog's back. Hedgehogs like to dig and hide. You can give them three-way pipes or special burrow tubes. This gives them more space to play. They also like balls or soft toys. Do not give them sharp things. They could get cut.

African pygmy hedgehogs are popular pets now. They are a mix of North African hedgehogs and four-toed white-bellied hedgehogs. People have kept them in cages for many years. They are gentle and easy to keep. People like them as pets. They are quiet. They are not as social as mice. But they are mild and do well in a cage. They need a running wheel and enough space. They like to explore their home. Some owners train them to wear a leash. Then they take them for walks.

Source:

[1] Hedgehog Worl: “Do Hedgehogs Smell Bad? [Answered]”