Features of keeping African hedgehogs at home

In recent years, it has become especially popular to keep ornamental African hedgehogs that do not live in the wild at home. It is for this reason that they cannot be released for free range. This breed of hedgehogs was obtained through the selection of several breeds, as a result of which the mammals turned out to be very hardy and at the same time adapted for life in an apartment or a private house. Next, we will take a closer look at the description of such animals, learn everything about their life expectancy and maintenance, and also get acquainted with the features of caring for them and the rules of feeding.

Dwarf African hedgehogs were bred by artificial breeding specifically for human maintenance. Such hedgehogs look very cute, they are not dangerous at all., reach about 500 g in weight, and about 20 cm in length. They differ from each other mainly in color. The needles, unlike forest species, are softer, which is undoubtedly a big plus.

It is not necessary to keep the animals in pairs, since they feel great one at a time, the main thing is to surround the pet with care.

Let's consider in more detail their varieties by color.

• Dwarf gray individuals have black eyes and a nose, on the belly and legs they may have dark spots. The needles are soft, dark gray or brown in color, usually on the back and in the area of ​​the ears, they have a transitional color from gray to black.
• Brown specimens have lighter needles, the eyes are dark, may have a dull edging, the nose has a chocolate color. The skin is pale pink with a grayish undertone.
• The dwarf hedgehogs of the color "chocolate" the needles are of a pronounced brown color, the eyes are black, and the nose is pale brown. Such individuals look especially attractive and cute. This species sometimes has characteristic dark spots on its abdomen and legs.
• There is also a variety of "champagne" the color of the needles of such individuals is usually gray-brown or light beige, the nose is pink, the eyes can have a ruby ​​color.
• There are also cinnamon-colored hedgehogsthat have milky beige needles.
• When choosing a pet for yourself, we recommend that you pay attention to the common color "salt and pepper". Hedgehogs are almost black, but less pigmented needles are also present in the color. The skin on the ears and on the back of these individuals is usually dark.

Often dwarf hedgehogs are born albinos, that is, they have completely white needles, a pale pink nose, and pronounced scarlet eyes. And there are also just white hedgehogs that are not albinos, their needles are almost all discolored.

Before you get yourself a new "neighbor", it is very important to find out everything about him, including how long dwarf hedgehogs live. Of course, in the wild, hedgehogs have to fight for their existence, get their own food and look for places for wintering, at home this is impossible, as a result of which the lifespan of individuals, of course, increases.

With proper and regular care, African hedgehogs can live for quite a long time, ranging from 5 to 7 years, but there are cases when such pets lived for ten years.

It takes very little effort to make the life of a domestic African hedgehog comfortable. Let's consider the most important points in the content.

• For a pet, you need to choose a spacious and comfortable cage. Often, the owners make it themselves, but it is best to take a ready-made version, in which there will not be too sharp twigs. The animal can get hurt about them. A terrarium for keeping a hedgehog will not work, like a regular box. The floor of the cage must be covered with an even covering.
• Sawdust can be used as bedding in the cage, special filler or paper granules. As for sawdust, you should buy options not from resinous and coniferous trees, for hedgehogs they can be toxic. Birch sawdust is considered the best. Sawdust is poured 1.5-2 cm on the floor in the cage, as evenly as possible. Cleaning of the cage, including changing the litter, is usually done every 7 days, more often if necessary, especially if there are a couple of individuals living in the cage.
• Although decorative hedgehogs are domestic, they, like free individuals, must always have a place where they can hide. For these purposes, in the cage, you can put a small house for the privacy of a hedgehog; in pet stores, experts recommend choosing the one that is sold for chinchillas, but such a house, in general, can be made on your own.
• Pygmy hedgehogs are as active as domestic hamsters, Therefore, if the animal is not allowed to run freely around the apartment or house, it is best to put a running wheel in the cage for it, the diameter of which should be about 30 cm. The wheel is also useful for hedgehogs in terms of health: many pets are prone to obesity.
• Do not forget about the toilet, which is an important attribute in the life of the African hedgehog. The toilet area should be cleaned daily.
• Cage-mounted drinker should either be attached to it, or be very heavy so that the animal does not turn it over. It is recommended to change the water every day.
• As toys bells, bells and various balls are perfect for decorative hedgehogs.
• It is recommended to keep hedgehogs at temperatures from 20 to 25 degrees. Overheating of the room, as well as hypothermia, can lead to illness of the pet. Moreover, if the temperature is less than 15 degrees, even a decorative hedgehog can hibernate, although this is not typical for him. It is also very important to prevent drafts in the place where the hedgehog lives and not to open windows too often, especially when the weather is cool. Hedgehogs are not very fond of the sun, so do not place the cage too close to a window with direct sunlight.

Today, it is customary to feed dwarf domestic hedgehogs with ready-made food, but specialized food for hedgehogs in small towns is very difficult to get, which is why many choose premium balanced cat food as food. The main thing is to avoid starch, various dyes and flavorings in the composition. When choosing a feed, it is best to consult a specialist in advance.

Let's find out in more detail about the possible diet of domestic hedgehogs and about the acceptable products that can be given to the animal.

In addition to ready-made food, hedgehogs can and should also be given other products.

• Boiled lean meat... Mainly turkey, chicken and beef. It is recommended to cut the meat into small pieces before serving.
• Raw or boiled chicken eggs, you can also quail. Do not give more than 1-2 eggs per week.
• Boiled fillet of sea or river fish... If fish with bones is cooked, then it should be thoroughly peeled before serving.
• Vegetables... You can serve fresh or boiled carrots, as well as asparagus, cucumbers, and broccoli.
• Fruits and berries. It is best to give apples, pears, bananas and melons in small wedges. Exotics should be avoided and those fruits and berries that are unknown should not be given. So, for example, a hedgehog can be poisoned by citrus fruits, which are contraindicated for him. Fruit can be substituted for baby puree, but it should not contain starchy ingredients.
• Hedgehogs in the wild - real predators, but sometimes pets do not mind eating grasshoppers and worms, which can be purchased at a pet store without any problems.

We will also consider prohibited foods that can harm your pet's health.

• Any dairy products... Contrary to popular belief that hedgehogs love milk, they practically do not digest it, leading to various diseases. It is recommended to exclude any dairy and fermented milk products from the diet.
• Pineapples, avocados, oranges, tangerines and lemons, as well as any exotic fruits and berries like lychee.
• Dried fruits, raisins, grapes, nuts and seeds. Such foods can provoke choking of the pet hedgehog.
• Sweets including candy and chocolate. Hedgehogs, like many other animals, are susceptible to the development of diabetes, which is why it is best to exclude such treats.
• Salt, spices, condiments and all products with them are strictly prohibited for decorative hedgehogs, like any wild one. Onions, garlic and any kind of fast food are also prohibited.

Taking care of a pet hedgehog is easy. Care activities include choosing the correct diet, bathing and controlling the appearance of parasites. Also, domestic hedgehogs can be trained, which will help organize their leisure time perfectly.

African domestic hedgehogs can not only be washed, but also must be done., some animals love this procedure very much, especially if they have been accustomed to it from childhood, but many treat it extremely negatively. Hedgehogs are washed no more than 2 times a month, in the cold season as rarely as possible, since the needles dry for a very long time, and at this time the animal may catch a cold. They bathe hedgehogs in a basin, pouring about five liters of water into it, the water temperature should not be more than 35 degrees.The needles can be cleaned with a special shampoo and a soft toothbrush.

It is very important when bathing to avoid getting water on the muzzle. After bathing, it is recommended to wrap the hedgehog in a towel, it must dry on its own.

It is recommended to wash bowls regularly after meals.... The best way to do this is to use laundry soap. If the animal shows signs of illness, then you should not self-medicate, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Breeding of African hedgehogs is usually done by professionals, as this is a very crucial step for those who do not have experience yet. Ornamental hedgehogs are considered sexually mature as early as 6 weeks, it is very important to know that related breeding should be avoided for at least three generations, otherwise hedgehogs may be born sick.

Usually mating takes about a week, it is undesirable to keep the pair together longer. Male hedgehogs can be knitted every two weeks, but females - no more than twice a year.

Pregnancy in females lasts about 36 days., during pregnancy, the hedgehog may require more food, and it also becomes more sluggish. In the first days after giving birth, the female with the babies should be placed in a separate cage; it is best not to approach the hedgehogs. If the hedgehog smells someone else's smell, she can leave the kids. The mother feeds the babies for the first 14 days, and after 2 months they become completely independent.

For all the details on breeding and caring for African hedgehogs, see the next video.