Meet a four-toed hedgehog as an uncommon pet

Several kinds of hedgehog are kept as pets. The most common one is the four-toed hedgehog or an African pygmy hedgehog in other words. This pet which is not very common but is becoming more and more popular can live up to 9 years in captivity and weighs only 300–700 g. This kind is particularly popular at keepers mainly for its kind nature and quite easy keeping. It becomes tame quite easily and gets used to being carried in hand and is not vicious.

Opposed to most other pets which are kept in cages or boxes, such as rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs, a hedgehog is a solitaire. But you have to take into account that hedgehogs are also active at night. They sleep during the day and wake up in the evening. In today’s rush, this independent cute animal is a perfect pet for working people. On the other hand, it is not very good for children because of its night activity and thorns.

While some hedgehogs are quite calm, others are able to be active all night. Also, the time when they wake up may be different for different individuals. While one can start waking up at around six in the afternoon, some will sleep until midnight.

You might also be surprised that four-toed hedgehog doesn’t hibernate as you are used to in hedgehogs you can see in the nature. Moreover, hibernation is dangerous for this African breed and can result in death. Another thing that might surprise you is its habit to throw saliva behind his back. Noone has found out why they do that yet. But it is related to getting acquainted with new smells and tastes. Most often, you can notice that in young hedgehogs. What is not very surprising is curling up when a hedgehog feels endangered. But you might not know they growl, sniff and bounce when doing that.

When a hedgehog is going through puberty, it is really something for the owners. When growing up, it changes its thorns which is very unpleasant and the animals can be very mean. The behaviour will rapidly worsen but when the thorns get changed, it will go back to normal.

If you decide to get a little thorny pet, it is worth it to buy a hedgehog with a known family tree. Like for all animals, after all. It is kept as a pet for a relatively short period of time and its current population is from almost 90 % related. Therefore, mating has to be done carefully to maximally minimize the chance of having a genetic defect.

As it was previously mentioned, hedgehogs are independent solitaires. They are often compared to cats with regard to their nature. They are independent, open-minded creatures but usually make a bond with one person who they trust limitlessly then. This trust is very fragile and you can lose it easily, only by administering a medicine or some careless manipulation.

Even though this animal is a solitaire, it is important to spend enough time with the hedgehog every day. Particularly when it’s young, so it can get used to you. A young hedgehog needs to be reminded of a human hand and contact with it every day. For older hedgehogs, the need of contact is not so big if the animal gets everything it needs. It includes quality food, i.e. cat dry food and pouches besides insects, enough space and joys to keep it active.

Do you also have a hedgehog at home? What is its nature, does it remind you of a cat?