Difference between Porcupines and Hedgehogs
Many of us confuse porcupines with hedgehogs. But there is a lot of difference between the two. Hedgehogs are smaller in size compared to porcupines. A full-grown porcupine weighs about 17 pounds, which is approximately four times the weight of a hedgehog! The second most important difference between porcupines and hedgehogs is that a porcupine can have three thousand to thirty thousand quills (spikes), whereas a hedgehog has just seven thousand quills! One more major difference between porcupines and hedgehogs is that hedgehogs hibernate while porcupines don't. Also, porcupines are pure vegetarians while hedgehogs mostly feed on insects.
Hedgehog Facts
Here are some interesting facts about hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs are mammals that are nocturnal in nature.
They mostly feed on insects.
They have spines on their back, which are nothing but sharp hair known as quills.
Hedgehogs have a life span of 2-5 years.
When in danger, hedgehogs roll into a ball.
A hedgehog can startle you in the beginning by one of their acts, known as 'self-anointing'. When a hedgehog comes in contact with an unfamiliar smell, it starts licking it and then spreads the saliva on its back.
They hibernate in winter season right from December to April.
The African Pygmy Hedgehogs are well-known as pets.
Hedgehogs have poor eyesight.
Where to Buy Pet Hedgehogs?
It is best to buy any animal from a breeder as they have loads of information about the animal, and the animals they have are also well maintained. So look out for a hedgehog breeder. You can also buy a hedgehog from a pet shop, but you need to be careful about a few things like the health of the hedgehog, its age, etc. Check if the eyes, ears and nose are clean and are not giving out any discharge. In case of hedgehogs, their quills are an indicator of their health. A hedgehog should be completely covered with quills on the top. If there is any empty spot on the back, it can be a sign of mites. Also, remember to choose a baby hoglet. Do not bring home more than two hedgehogs at a time, but if you are keen to do so, remember to keep them in different cages as they pick up fights quite easily.
Hedgehogs as Pets
If you know about the food, housing and the care to be taken, you can easily bring home a hedgehog as a pet! Here are a few points to keep in mind while brining home a hedgehog:
Shelter: Hedgehogs can be kept in cages as well as aquariums. While looking for a cage or aquarium, look for something large. A three to four-foot wide cage or a twenty gallon aquarium is ideal. While keeping hedgehogs as pets, remember that they sleep almost throughout the day and are awake during the night. They like to roam around. Exercise is also important for them. So even if you make a cage at home, remember to keep extra space as they are excellent climbers. If you are opting for an aquarium, remember to keep it in the shade, as aquariums can get hot if kept in the sun. For bedding, paper shredding or aspen sheddings are the best options. Do not use cedar or pine shavings.
Food: As earlier stated, hedgehogs feed mainly on insects. But they also like watermelons! Meal worms, beetles, and caterpillars constitute the main diet of hedgehogs. Don't worry, you don't need to wander in your garden finding food for your hoglet, you get it in pet care shops! You can also feed your hedgehog with special food like chicken or dry cat pet food. Also remember to keep water in the cage in a shallow dish so that the hedgehog doesn't dehydrate. Unlike other animals, hedgehogs like to eat after dusk. So don't panic if your pet hedgehog doesn't eat anything during the day. An important thing to note is, cats or dogs are considered healthy if they are fat, but this does not apply to hedgehogs. Hedgehogs can face problems if they are overweight. So don't overfeed your hedgehog. Two meals a day is ideal.
Handling: Handling a hedgehog is also a part of pet care. Hold the hedgehog with care. The obvious reason is the quills on their body. Hold them gently, and never from above! When your hedgehog is awake and in a good mood, lift it slowly by placing your palms under it. The hedgehog can roll into a ball the first few times, so remember to keep your hands out of the way. The more you handle the hedgehog, the more it will get used to you. Even a kid can handle a hedgehog if he knows the right technique. So you needn't worry if you have got hedgehogs as pets for kids. Hedgehogs recognize their caretakers by smelling them, so let them get familiar with your smell. Don't wear gloves while handling them.
Grooming and Entertaining: Hedgehogs do not need much of grooming. But giving them a bath once in a while is all right. You can also trim its nails, though it might curl into a ball when you try to do so. You will have to trick it just like a small child! First give it a warm bath and while you are bathing it, trim the nails. Keeping the animal entertained is also your responsibility. A wheel is the most loved pet accessory in the hedgehog world! A plastic wheel will keep the hedgehog fit and will also entertain it. You can also bring soft balls or pet products like burrow balls and litter boxes.
Keeping cats and dogs as pets have become too common, so why not try something different and bring home a hedgehog? And with all the information about hedgehogs as pets, you must have realized that hedgehogs are low maintenance pets compared to others. So do think of bringing this prickly but unique animal home!
Sat Mar 10, 2012 5:43 pm
