Domesticated hedgehog

Many people enjoy keeping hedgehogs as small pets in their homes. Most pet hedgehogs are the African pygmy hedgehog, which comes from warm climates.

Other types include the long-eared hedgehog and the Indian long-eared hedgehog. Because these African hedgehogs come from warm places, they do not hibernate in the wild. If their body temperature drops too low, they might try to hibernate. This can cause them to die unless they are warmed up quickly. People can also find hedgehogs with new colors like albino or pinto. A pinto hedgehog has distinct patches where it has no color on its skin or quills.

Taking care of a hedgehog requires following a specific way of life. These animals are insectivores, which means they mostly eat insects. Their diet must be high in protein but low in fat. They also need something called chitin, which is found in the hard outer shells of insects.

You can give them special foods or powders to make sure they get enough chitin. Since they are very active, they need a running wheel in their cage. A solid wheel about 12 inches wide is a good choice. This helps them stay healthy and prevents them from getting too heavy. If a hedgehog becomes obese, it might not be able to roll into a ball.

Humans have known about hedgehogs for a very long time. In ancient times, people hunted them for food or used their spines. Some Greeks might have kept them to eat pests like beetles.

In the 4th century BCE, the Romans kept a relative of the Algerian hedgehog. They used the animals for meat and for their quills. The Romans even used hedgehog skins to clean their shawls. This made hedgehog skins important for trade and business. The Roman Senate even made rules to regulate this trade. People also used the sharp quills to train other animals.

Rules for owning a hedgehog change depending on where you live. In the United States, hedgehog popularity grew in the early 1980s. However, some states ban them or require a special license. Some rules exist because hedgehogs can carry foot and mouth disease. This is a sickness that affects animals with cloven hooves. In Europe, the European hedgehog is a protected species. Many countries in the European Union do not allow people to keep them. In Australia, all hedgehogs are considered exotic pets and cannot be imported. Even in places like New Zealand, they are seen as pests.

Living with a hedgehog is mostly safe, but there are things to notice. It is rare to be allergic to the hedgehog itself. Sometimes, people see pink dots on their hands after touching them. This is usually just small pricks from the spines rather than an allergy.

You should always wash your hands after handling them. It is also important to use the right bedding. You should avoid wood like cedar because its oils can cause breathing problems. Instead, many people use aspen wood. Watching for signs like sneezing or bubbles can help you know if a hedgehog is sick.