HEDGEHOG

Atelerix Albiventris

INTRODUCTION

Hedgehogs are spunky, spontaneous, and extremely spiky! They can be quite shy at first and take time to build trust before they will show their personality. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, spending the majority of the day sleeping. They are best kept alone, as hedgehogs can be territorial. MrPets carries the African Pygmy Hedgehog, which comes in a few colours and a variety of personalities!

DIET

• Wet Food (Cat Cans) – 45%
• Fortified Food/Pellets – 45%
• Worms/Crickets/Treats – 10%

CARE LEVEL

• Intermediate

LIFESPAN

• 4–8 years

WEIGHT

• 0.5–2 lbs

COLOURS

• Salt and Pepper, White Belly, Albino, Cinnamon, Chocolate, and More!

ENCLOSURE BASICS

• Minimum cage size: 2' x 3'
• Hedgehogs require a lot of exercise, so it’s important to have a wheel available to them at all times.
• They should also be given daily out-of-cage time to zoom about.
• Since hedgehogs are nocturnal, they will need a good hide to escape the light when they are sleeping during the day.
• Hedgehogs like a warm environment, and their surrounding temperature should be between 74°F and 80°F.
• This can be accomplished by using a low-wattage ceramic heater.

FOOD AND SNACKS

Your hedgehog is an insectivore, so their diet should consist of food that is made with insects or supplemented with insects.

• Some cat food can be fed as a diet as well, as long as it is poultry-based.
• There is also some new cat food with insect-based proteins such as Catit Nuna.
• Insects should be supplemented to help increase fiber and protein intake.

It is important to have a Guaranteed Analysis as follows:

• Protein: 22%–35%
• Fat: 5%–15%
• Fiber: 10%–15% (at a minimum of 2%)

FUN FACT!

Hedgehogs have over 5000 spikes on their back, which they raise up when threatened.