African pygmy hedgehog
The African pygmy hedgehog is the miniature hedgehog most commonly kept as a pet.
Hedgehogs are not rodents, they are seventeen small animals in their own family.
They are found in Europe, Asia and Africa and are invasive inhabitants of New Zealand.
Hedgehogs have coarse hairs on the facial limbs and lower abdomen, and spines on the back and sides.
Thorns, also known as thorns, are modified hollow and hardened hairs.
Hedgehog feathers are controlled by muscles in the back.
When threatened, the little hedgehog will erect its spines and look larger.
If the threat persists, the hedgehog retracts its head and feet and rolls up, leaving a thorny ball for the confused predator to handle.
The spines are sharp and effective in deterring hunters who are not determined, but eagles, owls, and weasels are their most common predators and are willing to endure several punctures for a meal.
The African pygmy hedgehog is a nocturnal animal that sleeps during the day.
They come out at night in search of a wide variety of foods, including frogs, worms, eggs, fallen fruit, and other plants.
They are voracious eaters, taking root in leaves, soil and sand for their favorite insects, grubs, cockroaches, beetles and larvae.
Wild African hedgehogs also eat large amounts of berries seasonally.
How do hedgehogs mate?
Hedgehogs are solitary animals that only socialize during the mating season.
They will then pair up for the usually very noisy courtship. Hedgehog males require full cooperation from the female to avoid being punctured during mating.
Sometimes it takes hours to circle each other, during which they make sounds, suck their noses, giggle and squeak.
If another male appears, an argument may occur and it is louder. Injuries are rare, but males can spank, chin, and even wrestle like cats.
Mating itself is careful, the female remains stationary and the male carefully climbs onto the boat.
During the breeding season, both males and females may have multiple partners.
Females are about 4 weeks pregnant, usually with 4 or 5 babies in a litter.
Little hedgehogs are called piglets, and their thorns are under the skin at birth to prevent harm to their mothers.
Within an hour or two of birth, the hedgehog babies' spines can actually puncture the skin, and in a day or so they will harden and be very sharp.
The little hedgehog would stay with his mother for about five weeks and then go out on his own.
Hedgehogs as pets
Hedgehogs have become a very popular pet in recent years.
The African pygmy hedgehog is actually a hybrid of two species, the North African or Algerian hedgehog, and the white-bellied or four-toed hedgehog.
They have been kept in captivity for many years and are effective domesticated animals.
Hedgehogs as pets are pleasant and attractive, but they are very shy and do not have the extroverted personality of rodents like rats and octopus.
The African hedgehog performs well in large cages equipped with sports wheels.
However, they are very active and curious, and like to go out and explore.
Some even train their little hedgehogs to walk using seat belts and belts.