Hedgehogs

Text Box: Hedgehogs are remarkably cute little animals. Hold one on it's back and watch it peek out from beneath its quills, and your heart will be captured once and for all. Their backs are covered with prickly spines and their bellies are soft and furry. When threatened they roll into a tight ball. When relaxed their spines lay almost flat. They make a good beginner pet as they are easy to care for and just plain fun. Despite their effective display of little quills they are easily tamed, and when secure, there little quills feel like hairbrushes. Hedgehogs love to play and run around. They can play for hours with a toilet paper tube on their heads like a periscope (even watching you through it), pushing things around, and investigating things such as boxes or bags. They also love critter balls and it’s a great way to exercise them. Our baby hedgehogs are pulled form mom at 6-7 weeks of age and are then kept in our home. They are handled daily and well socialized when they are sent to their new homes.

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Text Box: Hedgehog Care and Facts: Average Lifespan: 4-6 Years Diet: Our hedgehogs diet consist of a dry premium kitten food, mealworms, and crickets. We offer apples, oranges, or berries occasionally as a treat. As a guide the average adult hedgehog will eat 3-5 small mealworms and a level tablespoon of a good quality kitten food daily (use 2 level tablespoons of kitten food if not supplementing with live food). Size at Adulthood: No more than 1 pound Minimum Cage size: Hedgehogs should be provided a cage or container that is draft free, easy to clean and escape proof. We use a 122Qt. Sterilite Container with the center of lid cut out to easily access our hedgehogs and to secure the water bottle holder (guard) in place. Because hedgehogs are by nature nocturnal they prefer conditions that are not too bright, which makes a dark colored storage bin an ideal habitat. You can use a smaller container if space is limited. The quills of a young hedgehog are sharper than the adult quills. Hedgehogs do not shed/release or shoot there quills when they are scared or feel threatened The only color a hedgehog can see is yellow.

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Text Box: Frequently Asked Questions: Q:Do they have scent glands or a smell? A: No they do not have scent glands or a smell. Q: Do they require any vaccinations? A: No vaccinations are needed. Q: What is their general personality? A: Timid at first but once they are accustomed to you and your family they will come out and play any time of day. Q: How are they with other pets? A: Larger animals may frighten them. Q: Can I take my hedgehog outside? A: If the weather is comfortable a hedgehog may enjoy a stroll in the backyard, just remember to keep an eye on them . Q: Should I get two, so my hedgehog wont be lonely? A: Hedgehogs are solitary animals and generally do not prefer to be with other hedgehogs unless they are in a very large cage for each of them to have their own space.