Although theyre low maintenance, africa pygmy hedgehogs are. Unfortunately, baby hedgehogs do not have long lifespans. Compared to companion animals, caring for african pygmy hedgehogs is very difficult and meeting their legal needs under the animal welfare act is no easy task in a typical. The african pygmy hedgehog club uk, a website for owners and breeders, says it now has 9,000 members, compared with just 100 when it was set up in 2012. Revised 2019 if you want to learn about the african pygmy hedgehog you will enjoy this book. The african pygmy hedgehog is a native of west and central africa. Learn the basics for caring for pet african pygmy hedgehogs. In the wild, the average hedgehog lifespan is two or three years, with a rare hedgehog surviving in the wild past their fifth birthday. Hedgehogs can live up to 10 years in captivity, but those hedgehogs are few and far. Some books on hedgehogs i have read, state that their lifespan is typically 7 to 10 years in captivity. African pygmy hedgehogs just like many other hedgehog species can grow very quickly and we were amazed at just how fast our hedgehog hynee grew. Lack of predators and controlled diet contribute to a longer lifespan in captivity 810 years depending on size. Status in britain, european hedgehogs are protected under the wildlife and countryside act and cant be trapped without a license. Females are slightly larger than males, and both sexes are smaller than the european hedgehog which is why this species is also called the pygmy hedgehog.
Featuring the african pygmy hedgehog everything you need to know, including, hedgehog facts. Although they are not territorial, individuals do keep distance from other african pygmy hedgehogs. The average lifespan for african pygmy hedgehogs in captivity runs from 46. If you want to know all there is to know about caring for a pet african pygmy hedgehog, then look no further. Facts about the african pygmy hedgehog a picture book for kids lisa strattin on. Wells 6 sep 2018 pet hedgehogs thrive best on a diet high in proteins, low in fats and rich in chitin. For these reasons an a number of others, wild hedgehogs have a much lower lifespan than pet hedgehogs, typically between 23 years, although they have the potential to live up to 6 or 7 years. Those who have begun to breed these little guys find that they have a rapid reproductive cycle gestation is only 35 days and babies are sexually mature and ready to breed at around two months of age. What is the life expectancy of a pygmy african hedgehog. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The most common cause of death in the wild is due to predation rather than age. Life s a zoo with mallory clark webisode two today mallory is at zooworld in panama city beach, fl highlighting a curious creature from central to eastern africa, the african pygmy hedgehog. Clinical approach to the pet hedgehog acvc2001 vin.
The african pygmy variety is the favorite of most hedgehog owners. Hugh warwick is the author of two books on hedgehogs a prickly affair and. They have been bred in captivity for many years and are effectively domesticated animals. I have had hedgehogs for years, and know many people with hedgehogs as pets as well as breeders with years and years of experience. Hedgehogs do not pair for life, and do not form natural bonds with other. In addition, some people are extremely sensitive to contact with african hedgehog spines and develop transient, markedly pruritic urticaria after handling a hedgehog. The african hedgehog is small, nocturnal, and spinycoated. While the larger species may live as long as 7 years. You can chat with other users or ask advice in our forum. African wildlife foundation educates communities about the importance of sustainable practices for agricultural and settlement growth by providing training on best practices. The domesticated hedgehog kept as a pet is typically the african pygmy. It also contains extensive discussions on how to keep your hedgehog healthy through diet and hygiene. Pet african hedgehogs a complete guide to care paperback june 29.
Pet hedgehogs are in most cases a breed called african pygmy hedgehog. Captive hedgehogs often live to the age of 10 years old. Many baby hedgehogs do not survive their infant weeks, and those that do are unlikely to live longer than six years, even with the best of care in captivity. Shots health news there have been 20 reports of human salmonella infections linked to pet hedgehogs. Advice and information on african pygmy hedgehog rspca. Learn many interesting facts and see some beautiful photographs as the pygmy hedgehog is seen in their natural habitat. Various resources report a relatively wide range in the maximum life expectancy of hedgehogs kept as pets. The african pygmy hedgehog is the most common type sold as pets. They vary in color from brown to almost black with a white ventrum. But in spite of this, it is very popular amongst pet enthusiasts across the world. This may seem short, but is quite an impressive lifespan when compared with other small pets. European hedgehog found only in certain parts of the northern and western european countries such as france, uk, italy, and spain, the european hedgehog is also known as the common hedgehog.
They are actually hybrids of the whitebellied or fourtoes hedgehog atelerix albiventris and the algerian a. The average lifespan for african pygmy hedgehogs in captivity runs from 46 years, with some living as long as 8 years. In the wild, their relatively short lives are often dabbled with multiple matings these small guys will breed once or twice per year given the proper climatic conditions. The prickly issue of pet hedgehogs environment the guardian. In recent years hedgehogs have become very popular pets.
From what i have read, this is already far better than the average of years in the wild though this is due more to predation, disease, and other environmental factors than to old age. Fantastic fact the spines of a fullygrown hedgehog cannot be removed without harm to the animal. How to care for pet hedgehogs basic hedgehog care guide. Hello hedgehog is a website that will help you decide if an african pygmy hedgehog is the right pet for you and if so we can direct you to the best breeders and products for your new little friend. We give you all the information you need about buying a pet hedgehog and how to care for it. The lifespan of the african pygmy hedgehog is around two to three years in the wild, or as many as ten years in captivity. Diet african hedgehogs are insectivorous mammals very prone to obesity in captivity. A complete guide to raising pet hedgehogs pethelpful. The general consensus is that the typical or average lifespan seems to be more around 3 to 5 years. Pygmy hedgehogs are a hybrid of two wild hedgehog species and can only be found in captivity. The african pygmy hedgehogs body is 5 to 8 inches long and can weigh between 12 to 1 12 pounds. British hedgehogs are wild animals and are not suitable pets. The most common species of domesticated hedgehog is the fourtoed hedgehog atelerix albiventris.
Your guide to enriching your hedgehogs life through outstanding care exotic pet success series book 1 ebook. However, just like humans teeth, a baby hedgehog will lose its spines and adult spines will replace them. Ability to roll into a ball secured spines that point upwards when threatened long snout for strong. Unlike their wild relatives, pygmy hedgehogs to not hibernate and do not expand a lot of energy. Although theyre low maintenance, africa pygmy hedgehogs are solitary animals and dont crave human interaction. Although their expected lifespan is only 1 to 4 years in the wild, sound nutritional advice and highquality veterinary care have lengthened the captive lifespan of these animals. African pygmy hedgehogs live no more than 3 years in the wild and up to 10 years in captivity. African hedgehogs typically mate in october and march. It is called african pygmy due to the fact that it is smaller than another popular pet hedgehog species known as the european hedgehog erinaceus. As pygmy hedgehogs arent as popular as other pets, information about them can be limited and sometimes inaccurate, but our experience is here to help you. Facts about the african pygmy hedgehog a picture book for.
Four to six years is a normal life span, but a pet hedgehog can live up to ten years. The algerian hedgehog atelerix algirus is a separate species of hedgehog. The central african hedgehog, also known as the whitebellied, fourtoed, or african pygmy hedgehog, is native to the savannah and steppe regions of central and eastern africa. Everything you need to know, including, hedgehog facts. In order to get life spent to your hedgehog to this average age you have to care your hedgehog very perfectly.
About the african pygmy hedgehog hedgehog care 101. As a nocturnal creature, it constantly moves, covering up to several miles in one night. Hedgehogs have a relatively long lifespan for their size. Please visit our animal info tabs or consider purchasing a care guide book for.
Keeping and caring for african pygmy hedgehogs as pets. The african pygmy hedgehog is a wild animal that despite their small size has a wide range of needs that must be met in order for the animal to be healthy and happy. In captivity 810 years behaviors african pygmy hedgehogs are solitary and territorial. We will inform our readers about threats to the environment based on scientific facts, not driven by. It is bred extensively for color and temperament and is even displayed in competitive hedgehog shows. The african pygmy hedgehog is actually a hybrid of two species, the north african or algerian hedgehog, and the whitebellied or fourtoed hedgehog. Life expectancy averages 34 years in the wild but up to 10 years in captivity. Life expectancy the small, oval african pygmy hedgehogs can live approximately a decade in captivity, although their lives are often much shorter, lasting only four to six years. Estimates vary, but african pygmy hedgehogs have an expected life span between 38 years, with the average around the lower end of that estimate, at 35 years. Larger species of hedgehogs live 47 years in the wild some have been recorded up to 16 years, and smaller species live 24 years 47 in captivity, compared to a mouse at 2 years and a large rat at 35 years. African pygmy hedgehogs were the fad pet of the 1990s. Hedgehogs typically live two to three years in the wild.
Those numbers tend to be on the higher side when the animals are in captivity, mostly because they have regular access to food and dont need to worry about predators. The average life spent of a hedgehog is approximately 4 to 6 years. From the first time, we saw him as a baby to a month or so later when we picked him up to take him back to our house. There are many books and hedgehog references that identify hedgehogs as solitary creatures that should be housed individually. From what i have read, this is already far better than the average of years in the wild though this is due more to predation, disease. The average life span of the african pygmy hedgehog ranges from 58 years.
They find shelter in and under logs, rocks, roots of trees and brush piles, in termite mounds, in burrows, and under buildings. African pygmy hedgehogs atelerix albiventris have become popular pets in several countries. House, homes, food, feeding, hibernati by elliott lang isbn. Due to these environmental factors, hedgehogs have had to accommodate to the adaptations of. African pygmy hedgehog lifespan in captivity for your pygmy hedgehog to live as long as possible, you need to know how to take care of it properly. In captivity, the african pygmy hedgehog lives approximately 36 years, but can live up to 10 years. Care, breeding, cages, owning, house, homes, food, feeding, hibernation. As insectivores, hedgehogs need a diet that is high in protein and low in fat. Unlike sugar gliders, prairie dogs, and meerkats hedgehogs do not live in colony settings. The african pygmy hedgehog atelerix albiventris, also known as the central african, whitebellied, or fourtoed hedgehog 1, is native to the savannah and steppe regions of central africa, extending from somalia in the east and senegal in. African pygmy hedgehogs can be subclinical carriers of trichophyton mentagrophytes var erinacei, microsporum spp, and arthroderma benhamiae. The african pygmy hedgehog has a whiter toned body which allows its dark head more prominent and it has a clamorous and energetic behaviour overall.
Commercial hedgehog food or dry, lowcalorie cat food should make up the bulk of the adult diet 23 teaspoons daily. The african pygmy hedgehog ranges in southern africa from senegal to sudan. Hedgehog book for housing, care, training, husbandry, diet and. It is also an improvement on the lifespan of wild hedgehogs, which is typically about 2 years. Due to its energetic nature, many owners provide their hedgehog with a large running wheel. African pygmy hedgehog the jungle ladys animal collection. Pet african pygmy hedgehogs arent equipped to hibernate from their lives in captivity, although some will try to hibernate anyway, which can be dangerous for them.