My fascination with this adorable creature started during my early years of high school. There was a janitor that had a pet hedgehog. She would bring him to school every once in a while. The day my eyes met this spiky ball, I knew I would raise my very own. About 1 year after graduating high school, I hunkered down and found a breeder (http://www.crittercrazy hedgehogs.com/) right outside of my home town. After some quick arrangements and a short drive, I had my little buddy in my arms and was bound towards his new home.
African Pygmys are the most common hedgehog for a pet. Hedgehogs are nocturnal so they are mainly awake at night, but their schedules do change quite a bit when they are domesticated. Morty will get up usually in the afternoon, take a nap, and be up for most of the night.
African Pygmys need to stay close to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I keep Morty at a comfortable temperature with a red heat lamp.
Hedgehogs can't see the red light, so this doesn't affect their sleep. These little guys can't get too cold, even from a draft because this my push them into hibernation When hedgehogs start hibernating they do not eat or drink, so this can be very dangerous. Morty has gone into hibernation once, he came out of it fairly quickly after I turned up the heat in his cage, and injected some water into him.
These insectivores are not known for being the most sociable creature. A good way to get hedgehogs used to you is to handle them often, and give them lots of attention.
In the wild, hedgehogs will They live mainly off of insects, but domesticated hedgehogs maintain a healthy diet on indoor cat food. Morty has been known to enjoy a gold fish cracker every now and again. Grasshoppers and mil worms are a delicious treat. Morty seems to be a strange hedgehog, and has passed up both of these decadent morsels for his regular cat food.
Morty spends most of his life in a cage big enough for a rabbit. In his dwelling, you will find pine shavings covering the floor, an igloo,
small dish of cat food,
hamster style water bottle,
and a wheel. Morty loves to run on his wheel, it seems to provide him entertainment all night.
To provide him with more amusement, I like to take him outside on a warm summer's day.
The hedgehog and his cage do require a cleaning once a month. I wash Morty with puppy shampoo, and scrub him down in the sink with a toothbrush. I also use cat nail clippers to keep his little claws trimmed up.
A good way to rinse off a little hedgie is by letting him swim around in a bathtub full of clean water.
Morty has provided me with 4 fun years of enjoyment and excitement. He always manages to surprise me, either by attacking a stray packing peanut, or munching down on a gold fish crackers. Morty seems to be mortal enemies with socks and pillow cases...
Morty is in his elder years; unfortunately hedgehogs don't live to be too old. An average life span is about 5 years. Just recently Morty began acting like he was in hibernation, but this strange behavior went on for about 2 weeks. My boyfriend and I were getting prepared for his last days. We did give him a fighting chance by keeping his cage a little warmer and force feeding him sugar water. The poor little guy wasn't eating, barely drinking, and had very little energy. We were practically pacing and wringing our hands the whole time he was sick; trying to decide if we should put him down just in case he was in pain. We decided to keep waiting, because he didn't seem to be in pain. Then miraculously he began drinking at his normal speed and moving around a little bit more, then he began eating, and now he is back to normal. Morty doesn't run on his wheel anymore, but we will keep it in his cage just so he has the option.
I am sure you have fallen in love with their cute little faces. You will fall in love with their personality after reading a book called "The Hedgehog's Dilemma" by Hugh Warwick. Warwick mostly discusses the European Hedgehog found in Britain.
I would not suggest a hedgehog as a pet for a small child. This is most definitely a pet for someone who has the patience to peer through all the spikes and see a warm ball of love.
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