Yes, hedgehogs can make wonderful pets if they are properly socialized. They are very social creatures when properly handled and will often travel with their owners when they get the opportunity. In addition, they usually have a cheerful disposition and they are happy to cuddle with people or perform a few small tasks for a treat or two.
In addition, while they do need daily care, hedgehogs are not a high maintenance pet and are an excellent choice for those who want a sociable pet but do not want the high chores list some other pets offer.
Are they good with children?
Hedgehogs do very well with children; however, they are better suited to older children. It is important that children know how to properly handle the hedgehog to prevent accidents from happening. In addition, children need to be calm around hedgehogs to prevent triggering a fear response.
Are they clean?
Yes, hedgehogs are surprisingly clean. They can be litter trained and they generally keep their cage clean. The main thing that you need to be aware of is that they do have the small mammal scent. If you keep the cage clean and tidy and use baking soda in the litter box, you can usually keep them fresh smelling.
Can they live in cold climates
Yes, hedgehogs can live in cold and hot climates; however, it is very important to keep the temperature even. Too much heat and they can suffer from heat stroke, too much cold and they could become ill. In addition, cold will trigger hibernation and this can shorten your hedgehog's lifespan.
Are they noisy?
While they may be as noisy as some pets, hedgehogs will chirp and make other noises throughout their day. The main problem with the noise is that hedgehogs are nocturnal so most of the noise they make is at night. If you find you are a light sleeper, do not place the hedgehog in your bedroom.
What is the lifespan of a hedgehog?
This varies from hedgehog to hedgehog, but on average hedgehogs will usually live between 4 to 6 years. It is important to note that some have a shorter lifespan of only 3 years and others have lived to over 9 years. Be prepared to have this pet for a significant amount of time.
Are there different types of hedgehog?
While there are 14 different species of hedgehogs, there is actually one one type of hedgehog that has been domesticated and that is the African Pygmy Hedgehog.
How big do hedgehogs get?
Hedgehogs reach between 250 to 500 grams in weight and 5 - 8 inches in length. It is important to note that some breeders are producing larger hedgehogs that can reach up to 12 inches in length and 2 pounds in weight but the standard hedgehog size is the smaller variety.
How long do they take to mature?
If you are looking at breeding age, a hedgehog is considered to be mature by about 8 weeks of age, however, that is not when they are fully mature. In addition, hedgehogs should never be bred at 8 weeks of age. With maturity, it usually takes 10 - 11 months before a hedgehog has reached full maturity.
Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:09 pm
