The Spiny Hedgehog

Hedgehog is a short and stout little mammal that is sometimes called a pincushion with legs! Most mammals have fur or hair that is somewhat flexible and soft. But the hair on the back of a hedgehog is a thick layer of spikes (or modified hairs) known as quills. These quills are made of keratin, the same stuff our hair

Hedgehogs can be white or light brown to black, with several shades found in bands along their quills. Their belly, face, and neck are covered in coarse hair. Some hedgehogs have a dark brown or black mask across their eyes. These interesting critters have small but powerful legs and big feet with five toes each.

Bedding

- this is a compacted paper bedding material that expands when it becomes wet. It is very absorbent but not very soft. Some pet stores and owners like this bedding because it isn't as lightweight as the fluffy, soft paper bedding options.fresh world bedding by sunseed - a soft, fluffy bedding that contains baking soda to help control odors, fresh world is made from recycled newspapers.

Hedgehogs have excellent hearing and a good sense of smell, aiding them in locating prey. They roll into a ball as a defense mechanism when threatened, presenting their spiky exterior. Hedgehogs are popular pets in some regions, but they require specialized care due to their specific dietary and environmental needs.

Hardscape refers to the non-living elements in landscaping or aquarium design. This includes features like rocks, driftwood, or any other inanimate materials used to create structure and aesthetics. In aquariums, hardscape elements contribute to the overall visual appeal and can also serve as hiding places for aquatic life.

The social needs of hedgehogs like porcupines, the skin over a hedgehog’s back is covered with prickly quills that help protect it from predators. Unlike porcupines, however, hedgehogs cannot shoot their quills out in defense. Their pointed quills can make them difficult to hold, so these animals are not the best for families with very young children or for individuals with very sensitive skin. They are best held in a small towel until they relax.

1. Maintainance:-Provide Proper Housing Hedgehogs are active creatures and therefore need some extra space to roam around in. You should have a large cage or enclosure that can be secured when you are away, as hedgehogs like to escape whenever the opportunity presents itself. A small box kept inside the cage will provide them a place to hide in and sleep during the day. Try to keep the room temperature comfortable as well.

2. Feed Them the Correct Food Hedgehogs eat once or twice a day. Keep the food right outside of the hiding box that was recommended earlier. Hedgehogs like eating insects and worms, but finely minced rice and meat or a low-fat cat or dog food will suffice in case you don't have fresh bugs to feed them. A piece of fresh fruit from time to time is recommended. As with most pets, be wary of overfeeding to the point of obesity.

3. Clean Their Living Environment Make sure to clean out the cages at least once a week. Remove old food and feces, and make sure the hide box is clean as well. An occasional bath from time to time may be in order, but if your hedgehog does not like baths, you may want to avoid putting them through any unnecessary trauma.

4. Watch for Diseases As with most small mammals, hedgehogs can get fleas. Check them on a regular basis, and if you see signs of fleas, you can use the same flea deterrent that you would use on a kitten. Hedgehogs are also susceptible to diarrhea, worms, and pneumonia. If you suspect your hedgehog may be sick, take him to a vet. Some of the diseases common to hedgehogs include squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) and fatty liver disease from improper diet, and they can suffer from heart disease as well. A good indicator of a sick hedgehog is the loss of spines.

5 . Give Them Some Space As a rule, hedgehogs can be a bit on the anti-social side until you get to know them. Do not overhandle your hedgehog, as this may lead to mistrust on their part. Hedgehogs do like to be cuddled from time to time, but if they roll up in a defensive posture when you try to pick them up, it is best to leave them alone for a while.

THEY ARE PRETTY WIDESPREAD AND SOCIABLE There are 17 species of hedgehog and they are found in Europe, Africa and Asia. In the UK they can live in a variety of habitats including woodland, farmland, parks and gardens. Hedgehogs are also well established in our urban habitat and can, somewhat surprisingly, survive very well in our cities. They even make extremely good use of cemeteries, railway land, wasteland and both public and private gardens as long as there is food, and shelter available and the ability to connect with other hedgehogs.

THEY ARE NIGHTOWLS WHO DON’T LIKE THE HEAT Hedgehogs spend much of their life asleep, hibernating through the winter months of November and mid-March in a nest made from fallen leaves in a sheltered spot. They emerge in spring but will typically spend the day sleeping, becoming active after the sun has gone down.

THEY ARE LACTOSE INTOLERANT! It was once believed that hedgehogs stole milk straight from cows’ udders, which may have been why people so commonly leave milk out for them. But they are actually lactose intolerant – so if you want to feed your local neighbourhood hedgehog, wet cat food or hedgehog food you can purchase in pet malls.

THEY ARE CARNIVORES Despite their cute appearance these little spikey mammals are voracious predators and have a varied diet. Eating worms, slugs, earwigs, millipedes, beetles and other small inspects. They can sometimes also eat frogs, baby birds, snakes, bird's eggs and fruit.

HEY MAY NEED SPECTACLES BUT THEY MAKE UP FOR IT ELSEWHERE Although their eyesight is poor, they have good hearing and a well developed sense of smell. Baby hedgehog amongst the leaves THEY WOULD BE GREAT AT TRIATHLON, IF YOU SWITCHED CYCLING FOR CLIMBING Hedgehogs are good runners, proficient climbers and can even swim. THEY ARE SPEEDY LITTLE THINGS They have a top speed of 9.5km/h - around 5mph, albeit only for short bursts! THEY WEIGH THE SAME AS A PINEAPPLE AND CAN MEASURE UP TO THE SIZE OF A CLASSROOM RULER Hedgehogs are 20–25cm long and typically weigh up to 1.2kg. The hedgehog’s back and sides are covered in 25mm (1 inch) long spines (which are really modified hairs). These are absent from the face, chest, belly, throat and legs which are covered with a coarse, grey-brown fur. There are approximately 5,000-7,000 spines on an average adult hedgehog. What many people do not know is that a hedgehog has a small tail. Hedgehog in hay RANGE Africa. Southern Africa from Senegal to Sudan and Zambia.

HABITAT

Desert and scrub forest. SIZE Head/body length 4 – 6 inches.

REPRODUCTION

Gestation period: 34 – 39 days. Litter size ranges from one to six with a mean average of three. At birth the young are born with spines. Immediately after birth the skin begins to shrink, causing the spines to emerge.

DIET

Insectivore (Primarily). Wild: Invertebrates: earthworms, beetles, earwigs, slugs, millipedes and caterpillars. In addition, they take eggs and young from birds’ nests and will scavenge the remains of any animal found dead. Zoos: Insectivore pellet diet, mealworms and small amount of fruit. BEHAVIOR Solitary animals except during breeding season