After obtaining a hedgehog, bring him to a veterinarian to be examined for internal parasites and external parasites, such as mites,” advises Dr. “Veterinary examinations are a crucial part of hedgehog health. Just like any other pet, hedgehogs should see a veterinarian every year to identify any potential health issues early. Be careful: hedgehogs bite when startled, so going slow and socializing the animal gradually is very important. Handling should be focused on getting the animal used to the scents of the hands. Once she is more settled in, start doing some handling at night when she is awake. When you first get your hedgehog, you should allow time for your pet to settle into her new enclosure. Krista Keller (at right) demonstrates how to perform a physical examination on a pet hedgehog. “The best opportunity to be able to train a hedgie to accept handling is by obtaining the animal from a breeder at a young age, although there are exceptions to this rule,” says Dr. Keller says with time and patience, you can learn to work with your pet and earn their trust. Their solitary nature can make it difficult for these pets to warm up to you. In the wild, they are only social during the breeding season. Hedgehogs are very solitary animals and should be housed separately. “Allow your hedgehog time outside of the enclosure to explore or swim while supervised a few hours each week.” Hedgehog Interaction “Unfortunately, many captive hedgehogs are overweight, so exercise opportunities are very important,” says Dr. Keller also says that exercise wheels should never have a wire bottom, because this design leads to fractured limbs.) Keep in mind that their nighttime activity, including running on a wheel, may mean you will not want their enclosure in your bedroom. “They will be getting up for their ‘day’ when you are having dinner, which can be a nice time to interact with them before you go to bed,” Dr. They sleep during the day and are very active at night. Cooler or hotter temperatures can make a hedgehog enter a state called torpor. Hedgehogs come from a tropical part of the world and do best in a temperature of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also imperative to include an external heat source (an undertank heater or heat bulb) in the enclosure with multiple thermometers to monitor the efficacy. Large Tupperware storage containers can be a great option for an enclosure. A 2-foot by 3-foot enclosure is considered a minimum size. The enclosure also needs smooth sides (so the hedgehog isn’t able to climb out) and a hiding spot for sleeping. To meet their exercise needs, pet hedgehogs need an enclosure large enough to accommodate an exercise wheel and space for natural foraging behavior. They may be roly-poly, but hedgehogs are actually quite athletic creatures! In the wild they often run several miles a night and are adept climbers and swimmers. The hedgehog’s snout is placed to receive anesthetic gases so that it remains still during the imaging procedure. This side-view radiograph (X-ray) of a three-year-old companion African pygmy hedgehog was taken during an annual examination to screen for cardiovascular disease. “This diet can be supplemented with treats such as mealworms, crickets, and fruits and vegetables.” “The best hedgehog diet would be a specially formulated hedgehog or insectivore diet, of which there are many commercially available preparations,” says Dr. That diet can be challenging to recreate in captivity. In the wild, hedgehogs eat a wide variety of bugs, plants, and roots. Keller, who is board certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine. While the wild European hedgehog freely roams the gardens of the United Kingdom and elsewhere, the species that is raised for the pet trade is the African pygmy hedgehog, Atelerix albiventris, according to Dr. Krista Keller, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, recommends learning all you can about these animals’ unique needs. Hedgehogs have gained popularity as pets in recent decades. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, athletic, and solitary
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