Pet of the month – African Pygmy Hedgehogs
The hedgehogs commonly kept as pets in North America appear to by a mix of species, originally native to Africa. The term “African Pygmy Hedgehog” is a descriptive term (coined by breeders), rather than a true species name. They are 4 – 9 inches in length and their life span is around 4 – 6 years. Though they prefer their natural habitat, they can be easily tamed.
We suggest you buy your hedgehog from a regular hedgehog breeder who has some experience in handling them. We have quite many here on Vivastreet.co.uk and thanks to selective breeding, hedgehogs are now available in a huge array of colour variations.
Housing
African Pygmy hedgehogs require very little space. They can be kept in a cage measuring around 3 – 5 square feet with a solid floorspace and should have some wood shavings as their bedding.
The cage should be big enough to accommodate a shallow litter box, a wheel for exercising, some space for food and water and a small tunnel-like area to make them feel secure.
Choosing a Hedgehog
- It is best to locate a reputable breeder who breeds for good temperament and makes sure young hedgehogs are handled regularly.
- Getting a young hedgehog (6-8 weeks) is the best way to make sure your hedgehog will get used to being handled.
- Look for bright eyes, clear nostrils, and healthy looking skin, quills and fur. Watch out for flaky skin, missing quills, discharge around the eyes or nose, or evidence of diarrhea.
- Males and females generally are equally good pets.
- Plan on only one hedgehog to a cage. Most hedgehogs are perfectly happy to be kept alone and in fact often fight if kept with other hedgehogs.







