Perhaps one of the more distinctive and easily-recognizable pets in the small animal category, the hedgehog often appears as some sort of mix-up between a porcupine and an ant-eater. Adorable to look at, and sometimes intimidating, these quite little fellows can make excellent pets (not to mention starting quite a few conversations for you).

This informative article gives you a wealth of information about Hedgehogs as pets to help you decide if a Hedgehog is the right pet for you.

Perhaps one of the more distinctive and easily-recognizable pets in the small animal category, the hedgehog often appears as some sort of mix-up between a porcupine and an ant-eater. Adorable to look at, and sometimes intimidating, these quite little fellows can make excellent pets (not to mention starting quite a few conversations for you). For your convenience, here are some helpful tips to follow, when looking for and taking care of your new pet hedgehog:

Commonly mistaken for a member of the porcupine family, the hedgehog is actually a medium-sized insectivore, more closely related to the mole, shrew or their larger cousins, the Moon Rat of Southeastern Asia. This unique creature is known, not only for being garlic-scented, but also being the largest living insectivores known to man. Fortunately, the hedgehog is not garlic-scented, nor does he grow very large. In fact, the average adult hedgehog weighs in around

Believe it or not, there are 14 separate species of hedgehog and these are grouped into one of four main groups: the Eurasian and European Hedgehogs, African Hedgehogs, Desert Hedgehogs, and Long-eared Desert Hedgehogs. These incredible little creates can be found in parts of the Ukraine, India, China, the Gobi desert, Morocco, Pakistan, Iran, South Africa, Western Europe and the British Isles. While originally called “urchins,” (which led to terms such as “street urchin” and “sea urchin”), their name was changed to hedgehog, due to the European variety’s unusual coloring and longer snout, which was reminiscent of a wild boar.

The most common variety of hedgehog that is kept as a pet would be the African White-bellied hedgehog, known for their compact and cuter faces and their white stomach. Often sold as “Pigmy Hedgehogs,” “Dwarf Hedgehogs,” or “African Pigmy Hedgehogs,” they are a common pet both in homes and classrooms alike. Non-shedding and quiet, they make an ideal pet for those who live in an apartment or who do not have enough time to get a dog or cat.

Chances are, if you’ve seen a hedgehog, you’ve taken note of the spiky quills which cover his body. There are many tall tales regarding these quills that every potential owner should know:

• Hedgehogs shoot their quills - False. Even the porcupine doesn’t shoot his quills.
  
• Hedgehog quills will get stuck in you - False. The quills of a hedgehog are not barbed with hooks like the porcupine. When the hedgehog feels threatened, he will roll up into a ball which helps to raise his quills up tight. Then, he will do a “pop” or quick jump upwards which, in the animal kingdom, is usually enough to give some curious critter a good jab in the nose. While they don’t cause near the damage of a porcupine’s quills, you can still get a good poke from the experience.
  
• Hedgehogs make a poison to put on their quills - True and False. Pet hedgehogs will lick or eat disgusting things such as the sweat and dirt from their owner’s hands or their own fecal matter, mixing it with their frothy saliva and then coating their quills in the concoction. It’s unknown why, exactly, they do this but some suggest it may be part of a mating ritual, while other people say that it’s a method of the hedgehog protecting themselves - in the wild, hedgehogs will often repeat this process after having contact with the poisonous secretions of toads. While not deadly, there is a risk of infection and, for those who have never experienced a hedgehog poke, it can create a bit of an itchy and burning sensation. While this self-anointing may make them inedible to some creatures, it hardly places them on the deadly creatures list.

In truth, when a hedgehog is contented and happy, his quills will lower in flat against his back and he will allow you to pet him without fear. If your hedgehog “quills up” every time you come near his cage, it’s generally a good sign that you need to spend some quality “getting to know you” time, where the two of you can work together to learn neither is a threat to the other.

Unlike many pets, hedgehogs don’t require the fanciest of homes and are generally pretty low-maintenance. What they do need, is an enclosure that is large enough for them to comfortably move around but, unlike many small animals, they are perfectly happy with a home with just a single floor. With their short legs and wide bodies, hedgehogs generally are not climbers, nor are they jumpers. Provided that you don’t have a cat or dog to hassle them, they usually do quite well in a larger topless aquarium, provided they are kept in a well-ventilated room and out of the direct sunlight, (which can really heat up those glass tanks).

Hedgehogs aren’t generally easy to litter train, but they do tend to be creatures of habit and prefer to soil in the corners of their cages. Providing you use a good, absorbent bedding, cleaning the cage is very simple - simply scooping out the soiled areas and then changing the entire contents of the cage once every one or two weeks. The two best beddings that you can get for your hedgehogs are corn cob bedding or aspen shavings. Always be sure to avoid newsprint and cedar shavings, both of which can be toxic to pets.

You will need to make sure you provide your pet with fresh food and water on a daily basis. While some do well with water bottles, baby hedgehogs often have problems reaching high up to get a drink and, for this reason, it is best to ensure your bottle is hung low enough to provide easy access. With small hedgehogs, it’s also important to be careful not to use a water dish that is so large that your hedgehog babies can fall in but then can’t get out again. Remember, these little guys aren’t jumpers.

When choosing your new pet hedgehog, be sure to find one that is alert, active, and attentive to what is going on around him. Young hedgehogs tend to be more friendly and inquisitive but some can also be timid and shy. Much like humans, each little hedgehog is different and has his own unique personality. While most hedgehogs tend to roll up when afraid, be wary of any hedgehogs that show overly aggressive behavior and act like they are trying to bite.

Checking the hedgehog’s eyes, be sure that they are wide open, bright and not showing any signs of discharge. Also check around the hedgehog’s nostrils - while they often have a wet-looking nose, any hedgehogs showing sign of mucous buildup or infection should be avoided. Also check the hedgehog’s tank and be sure there are no signs of diarrhea. When choosing your dwarf hedgehog, you will want to find the friendliest, healthiest individual you can. Also bear in mind that, while baby hedgehogs will shed their spines as they grow in adult spines, adult hedgehogs that are losing a lot of spines are usually discovered to be suffering from some form of ailment.

When you go to pick up your new hedgehog, you will want to ensure that you purchase a specially-formulated hedgehog food from your local pet store. While some people claim you can feed them cat, dog or ferret food, this is a common misconception and, in truth, is very harmful to your pet hedgehog. Remember that your hedgehog is an insectivore though, in the wild, they also feed on snails, frogs, toads, snakes, mushrooms, roots, berries, carrion and the eggs of birds. For this reason, you will want to be sure to supplement your pet hedgehog’s diet with store-bought insects, such as crickets or mealworms.

Your hedgehog will need a few days to adjust the different sounds and scents of his new home, so be sure to take it easy and relaxed with him. Don’t try to push your little friend or handle him too soon or you may run the risk of upsetting him (as well as getting some nasty pokes in the process). For best results, give him at least 2-3 days to adapt to the change, prior to trying to take him out of the cage to play with.

Taking your time and letting your hedgehog become more accustomed to his surroundings will help to provide a comforting home to your new friend. Hedgehogs make fantastic pets and, if treated with ample kindness, will give you years of long-lasting hedgehoggy friendship.