The African Pygmy Hedgehog is a hybrid of the Four Toed Hedgehog and the Algerian Hedgehog. They are originally from Nigeria and the African continent. The markets were demanding these small animals for sale in bulk during the roaring nineties for all the right reasons. They are small and fluffy, and it is not illegal to keep African Pygmy Hedgehogs as pets depending on the area you reside in. So, let’s read a bit more about them and find out if these little creatures make for the right pet.
Where and how do I keep an African Pygmy Hedgehog?
African Pygmy Hedgehogs are smaller in size as compared to European Hedgehogs. However, they like to take up a lot of space and stay warm. You can keep your new best friend in a vivarium.
It is advisable to set up the vivarium because it merely increases the space. You can use fleece for the floor and a bed inside the vivarium. Placing a wheel in the litter box is a good idea. Surprisingly enough, the reason for this is that your new pet likes to poop as it runs on the wheel.
African Pygmy Hedgehogs want to stay warm as they are exotic animals. So, you have to make arrangements for ceramic heat emitters. The suitable temperature is achieved by African Pygmy Hedgehog when it can heat up or cool down as per its wishes. Thus, place the heat source only at one corner to let a gradient situation form. You can also give your pet little toys. They love to play.
What do I feed my African Pygmy Hedgehog?
Mealworms and cat biscuits are your African Pygmy Hedgehogs’ favorite meals. You can also feed them with other living food options. However, always remember that you can’t feed them fish. It’s not good for their digestion.
Make sure you are not overfeeding your new pet. They are very likely to turn obese. So, feed them only as much as they need to eat to live and make sure they exercise daily. Your African Pygmy Hedgehog can run five miles on the wheels in one night. Keep that in mind to make sure your new pet is fit and fine.
Do African Pygmy Hedgehogs smell?
African Pygmy Hedgehogs are smelly creatures. They like to mess up. Their feces stink so bad that you will have to wear a mask as you clean their shelters. As mentioned before, they want to poop as they run on the wheel. So, there are feces all over their enclosure. Also, their feet and quills get dirty too.
To take the best care, you have to gather some courage to clean the shelter and the hedgehog yourself regularly. This is the only way to keep your African Pygmy Hedgehog healthy and smelling good.
Do African Pygmy Hedgehogs make noise?
African Pygmy Hedgehogs love staying up at night. That’s the time they run on the wheel. So, this is the only noisy aspect of these cute animals. Apart from this, they are quiet during day times.
So, we advise you to keep the shelter of your African Pygmy Hedgehog out of your bedroom if you want to sleep peacefully through the night, unlike your new pet.
Are African Pygmy Hedgehogs low maintenance?
The clear answer is no. African Pygmy Hedgehogs are not low maintenance. The vivarium and the heating equipment are going to cost you a lot, but they are also crucial to your new pet’s existence.
This animal needs to see an exotics vet, which costs more than regular vets. This is because African Pygmy Hedgehogs are exposed to mites, cancer, and Wobble Head Syndrome. So, you need to make sure that you know a good exotics vet before you bring an African Pygmy Hedgehog home.
How long do African Pygmy Hedgehogs live?
African Pygmy Hedgehogs can live from three to six years. However, they are prone to a lot of health issues. So, you need to take good care of them.
Do African Pygmy Hedgehogs like to cuddle?
African Pygmy Hedgehogs have to be trained if you want them to be cuddly and close to you. Friendliness is not an essential trait. However, these animals show signs when they like your touch. They will put their quills down.
However, if they don’t want you near them, they will get all spiked up and start huffing at you.
Why do African Pygmy Hedgehogs form foam in their mouth?
African Pygmy Hedgehogs foam up in their mouth and turn their heads around. This process is called anointing. This is normal. However, the reason why they do this is unknown.
Where can I get an African Pygmy Hedgehog from?
It would help if you always tried to adopt pets instead of buying them. You can bond with them better this way. So, you can look for them at your local exotic rescue.
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