[u][b]African Pygmy Hedgehogs[/b][/u]
[img]http://watch.thehaymakerssurvey.com/__oneclick_uploads/2008/04/african-pygmy-hedgehogs.jpg[/img]
[i]Yes, I did just buy you over with a cute picture.[/i]
Over the past few years, African Pygmy Hedgehogs have suddenly become very popular. In fact, they are now the coolest things in the pet world since slaves. Being the most popular type of domesticated hedgehog, they are a cross breed between the Four-toed Hedgehog and the Algerian Hedgehog. Unlike hedgehogs in the wild, these guys only grow up to about 8 inches, and do not hibernate. If they do end up in a state of hibernation, they die. In captivity, hedgehogs must not be kept alone.
[b]Housing[/b]
African Pygmy Hedgehogs, being rodent-ish, require similar housing to hamsters (on a larger scale, obviously). The best setup for these guys is the traditional hamster cage - plastic base and a wire mesh roof/top. This is vital because it allows ventilation, which keeps humidity levels low. Beware when using an aquarium as the enclosure since they do not allow much air circulation, so your guy's house could be humid. And the moisture in the air won't be water. It is better not to have a mesh base, as the hedgehogs' feet often get stuck in between the bars. It is essential that you include a hamster/guinea pig wheel in the enclosure, since, in the wild, hedgehogs run for about 5 miles every night, so this must be accomodated for if you don't have a forest-sized enclosure. As a substrate (bedding), wood shavings are fine. Hedgehogs also like dust baths, so you will probably need a smallish tub of dust-free sawdust for him to roll around in. A litter tray also helps. This can just be a small tray or container with dust free cat litter in it.
[img]http://www.ukpetsupplies.com/images/products/savic/11104_lg.jpg[/img]
[i]Possibly the best house for your guy.[/i]
[b]Feeding[/b]
Hedgehogs are insectivorous. This means that they eat insects. The best diet that you could feed them at home, would be a mixture of high quality cat food, with the occasional live food such as crickets. These can be bought from most reptile suppliers/online. Occasionally, your hedgehog may enjoy some fruit as a little treat. All in all, make sure you mix it up because you don't want your guy to get bored of his food. Also, if you insist on letting your guy drink milk, make sure it is goat's milk. Cow's milk kills him. And no chocolate. Chocolate kills him.
[b]Handling[/b]
Although they may look spikey, hedgehogs are great to handle. But just handle. No cuddling or whatever else you may want to do to your guy. Start off slow, 10 minute sessions every day, in which you just let him walk on your hands etc. At first, if he isn't tame when you buy him, you may have to start off using a towel in case he spikes you. They do have a tendency to roll up into a ball when being handled, but just pick up the ball carefully and place it in your hand and your guy should unroll.
[img]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42632000/jpg/_42632611_8.jpg[/img]
[b]Pricing[/b]
Now, the part everyone always wants to know. How much will it cost me? Well here goes:
[list]
[*]Hedgehog: £100-£150
[*]Cage: £40-£80
[*]Accessories: £5-£10
[*][b]Total: £145-£240[/b][/list]
So...anyone wanna buy a hamster then?
I remember watching some sitcom about an old couple once.
The old guy stepped into a dead hedgehog and wore it as a slipper.
When asked what he was thinking, he responded "I thought my feet were sweaty." Hilarious sitcom it was indeed.
Ah, here it is!
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq0ZsLQDphQ[/media]
£200...
No thanks.
We had a hedgehog named Sunny when I was a toddler, it was fucking mean. It bit, scratched, and was absolutely horrid other than the semi-cuteness. (that was taken away from my the fact it rolled in it's own piss frequently)
My brother has one, his name is Higgens. Pretty awesome pet if you ask me. Even if you don't play with him/her all the time, they are ok since they are not social by nature.
An African Pygmy Hedgehog looks like it would bite your dick off in your sleep.
Cause last time I trusted something cute, it broke up with me and took all my money
OHMYGOD THEY'RE SO CUTE.
Where in America can I get one?!
:3:
I want one :3:
[QUOTE=Woodcutter11;22496801]£200...
No thanks.[/QUOTE]
spare a quid govner
They are illegal pets to own in Pennsylvania.
Ok.
[QUOTE=rathat48;22501726]They are illegal pets to own in Pennsylvania.[/QUOTE]
uh, why?
Coincidentally I just brought one home to babysit over the summer.
Everyone seems like they only have one. Didn't the OP mention something about needing a second one, at the very least?
[QUOTE=Alcapwne;22496761][img]http://www.ukpetsupplies.com/images/products/savic/11104_lg.jpg[/img]
[i]Possibly the best house for your guy.[/i][/QUOTE]
This is a bad idea for a cage, a hedgehog would have difficulty climbing the wire steps and if it fell it would probably break a leg.
[QUOTE=Killy_Mcgee;22497053]OHMYGOD THEY'RE SO CUTE.
Where in America can I get one?![/QUOTE]
I don't think there are many shops that sell them, but there are a lot of breeders in the US. Try a site like gumtree.com, they have a lot of second hand stuff on there and people post pets and stuff as well.
Make sure they're not banned where you live though. I know for a fact you can't keep them in California, Arizona or NYC.
If they were not so expensive, I would get one. :)
I've always wanted a hedgehog, or a guinea pig.
Rats are much better,much friendlier and 'cuter'.
Ever heard of Dumbo rats?
Aww, don't diss the hedgehogs. (But yes, rats are utterly adorable & endearing.)
I just brought one home to care for over the summer (she belongs to a friend). She's such a silly, frisky thing. Their legs are so much longer than I ever suspected them to be. They're not the kind of pet you cuddle, but observe. 'Mine' has such charming little mannerisms.
As another note, certain places outlaw pet hedgehogs because they can carry disease.
[img]http://cutepicture.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/cute-kitten-04.jpg[/img]
hi hedgy wanna be friends?
i made a cage myself for my hedgehog it cost less than 20$
Although it's not a hedgehog, one of these ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTnUTejcc8w[/url]) would be awesome to have.
[QUOTE=kpax632;22508414]i made a cage myself for my hedgehog it cost less than 20$[/QUOTE]
Yeah, homemade cages do seem like a good bet, but it would be kinda hard to make it look as sexy as the rest of my house. But yeah, it is hard to make a homemade one look nice.
Sister had one, boring as fuck and stink.
Stick to hamsters people.
[QUOTE=Woodcutter11;22496801]£200...
No thanks.[/QUOTE]
Get a job. You can pay 10 times the amount for a dog
"no thanks" hurf durf
i find em great and would buy one in a heartbeat but i would be devastated when it dies
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