Atelerix albiventris has a generally oval shape. The limbs are short and the animal's round body is low to the ground. The African Pygmy Hedgehog has a very short tail. When threatened, the animal has the ability to contract a series of muscles, rolling itself into a compact ball shape, forcing its quills out in all directions. In a relaxed state, the quills lie flat against the animal's body. The average length of Atelerix albiventris is approximately 7-9 inches when the animal is relaxed. When rolled into the hedgehog's characteristic defensive ball, the animal is about the size of a large grapefruit. The species is sexually dimorphic with the females slightly outsizing the males. Typical coloration is agouti. Hedgehogs with this coloring have spines that are brown or gray with cream tips. The face and underside is covered with a soft, white fur. There are other, more rare colorations, although agouti is by far the most common.
African Pygmy Hedgehogs Reproduction
Atelerix albiventris generally breeds once or twice a year. As spontaneous ovulators and primarily solitary animals, this species mates when the conditions are right and they encounter the opposite sex. They typically mate in rainy, warm seasons, when food is plentiful, usually between October and March in southern Africa. Gestation lasts 35 days. The young are born with spines already present, but covered with a membrane. Within a few hours of birth this membrane dries up and the spines immediately start growing. Weaning begins around the 3rd week and ends between the 4th and 6th weeks. The young leave their mother soon thereafter. The young are sexually mature around two months of age.
Gestation period : 35 days (average)
Birth Mass : 10 g (average)/ 0.35 oz
Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female) : 84 days (average)
African Pygmy Hedgehogs Behavior
The African pygmy hedgehog is a solitary animal. As a nocturnal creature, it constantly moves, covering up to several miles in one night. Although they are not territorial, individuals do keep distance from other African pygmy hedgehogs. For instance, males typically keep at least 60 feet between one another. There are a number of unique behaviors present in this species. One is the process of self-annointing. When an animal discovers a unique taste or scent it creates a frothy saliva which it proceeds to spread across its body in a series of remarkable contortions. The reason for this behavior is unknown. It is most likely related to either reproduction and mate selection or self-defense. Another behavior is the animal's use of summer estivation or winter hibernation to help it survive when the temperature is not at its optimal 75-85 degrees.
African Pygmy Hedgehogs Food Habits
Atelerix albiventris is omnivorous but primarily insectivorous. It feeds primarily on invertebrates such as spiders and insects, occasionally also consuming smalll amounts of plant matter or small vertebrates. African pygmy hedgehogs are opportunistic feeders with an extremely high tolerance to toxins. They have been known to eat scorpions and small poisonous snakes with no ill effects. (Kelsey-Wood 1995, MacNamara 1998)
African Pygmy Hedgehogs Economic Importance for Humans
Atelerix albiventris has some economic importance. In the United States many successful breeders sell animals to the pet trade. Additionally, because Atelerix albiventris eats many things deemed "pests" by humans, the hedgehog's diet makes it an important part of the ecosystem and local pest control.
African Pygmy Hedgehog is one of the most popular species of domesticated hedgehog sold in the exotic pet trade. It is bred extensively for color and temperament and is even displayed in competitive hedgehog shows. Due to its energetic nature, many owners provide their hedgehog with a large running wheel. Some measure the distances their pets run every night, and some have claimed that their hedgehogs run upwards of 8 km a night with speed bursts in excess of 16 km/h. When kept in captivity, at more regulated temperatures, this species does not typically display its estivation or hibernation behaviour. Due to the large amount of breeding stock available in captive collections, the Four-toed Hedgehog is rarely imported from the wild any longer. Several US and Canadian localities ban ownership of this species, or require special permits for them. Hedgehogs are generally hardy animals when kept properly, though they may be vulnerable to the growth of tumors as they mature.
African Pygmy Hedgehogs Conservation Status
In addition to the wild animals found in African deserts, a closed breeding stock exists in the United States to service the pet trade market. It is no longer legal to transport the animals out of Africa, so their populations there are not threatened by the pet trade.
Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:55 pm
