Hedgehog
Hedgehog or Urchin
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A small insect-eating mammal related to
the mole and shrew. Of the 15 species of
hedgehogs, most are found in Europe,
Asia, and Africa
Family Erinaceidae
Most with spiny (barbless) pelage, roll into
ball for defense
 They have vibrissae
 Olfactory and tactile sense are very well
developed
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Order Afrosoricida
• Tenrecidae
mainly from Madagascar
. Urogenital and anal opening terminating in
acloaca
. Many are hedgehog-like
African Pygmy Hedgehog
(Atelerix albiventris)
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Diet: Insectivorous, Adult
Size: 6-10 inches 18-30
ounces
Lifespan: 3-4 years.
Characteristics: Active,
vocal, solitary and nocturnal.
· Hedgehogs have a unique circular skin muscle that forms
a protective "bag" for the animal when contracted and
causes its sharp spines to become erect.
· At birth, the hedgehog's spines are beneath a skin
membrane, but they begin to emerge within the first 24
hours of life.
. The spines themselves are hollow hairs made stiff with the
protein keratin.
Hedgehog
• First lower incisors are well developed, but
not as large as in shrews
 The dental formula of the hedgehog is
thus I3/2, C1/1, P3/2, M3/3, and the
hedgehog has a total of 36 teeth.
Quilling In Juveniles
Just like people lose their
baby teeth, hedgehogs
shed their “baby spines.” At
about 2-3 months, the
hedgehog's baby spines
will fall out as their adult
counterparts emerge from
beneath the skin. This
“quilling” is completely
normal,
To help relieve discomfort,
bathe your hedgehog in a
warm bath containing olive
or canola oil
Hibernation
Hedgehogs will hibernate in
nature when the temperature
drops, but it’s unhealthy, and
often even fatal, if they do this
in captivity. To avoid
hibernation, the temperature in
a hedgehog's environment
must be kept above 65
degrees Fahrenheit.
Signs that a hedgehog is too cold
and on the verge of
hibernation are staggered
"drunk-like“ walking and
appetite loss. If a hedgehog
exhibits these symptoms,
warm its surroundings
gradually.
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The Basics -- African Pygmy Hedgehogs are
one of 15 different species of hedgehogs, and
they represent the overwhelming majority of
hedgehogs available in the retail pet trade.
They are curious, active and vocal animals that
can be fascinating to observe. However,being
nocturnal, they will be more active at night and
reclusive during the day.
Colors
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http://hedgehogclub.com/colorguide.html
Enclosures
Optimal temperature 65º-90º F
Hedgehogs are energetic and surprisingly
athletic animals.
Given the hedgehog’s climbing ability, its
enclosure must have a secure escapeproof top.
A plastic or metal "ferret enclosure" works
well for hedgehogs. This enclosure
should measure at least 30 square
inches, provide ample ventilation and
be escape-proof.
A 30-gallon aquarium can also be used to
house hedgehogs, provided it has a
secure mesh top to ensure adequate
ventilation.
Hiding Places:
They Need A Place To Hide -Being nocturnal animals,
Hedgehogs must have
ready access to snug and
secure hiding places to
sleep in during the day, and
to find reassurance
whenever they become
frightened.
This can be as simple as a
piece of 4 inch PVC pipe, an
old plastic pitcher, or an old
shoe box with a hole cut in
one end. (this should be
replaced every 2 to 3
weeks).
Enrichment
Toys that can easily be chewed
up into little pieces and
ingested should be avoided.
Also avoid exercise wheels
with bars, since hedgehogs
can become injured if their
feet fall through the open
spaces. Solid wheels and
mesh wheels with liners are
better choices.
Tennis balls and hard plastic
balls are good toy choices.
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Enrichment videos
Bedding: A Variety Will Work
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Wood shavings that don’t produce a lot of dust,
like Aspen make good bedding for hedgehogs.
Hay and pelleted paper cat/bird litter also work.
Place two inches of bedding throughout the
enclosure
Cedar bedding must be avoided under all
circumstances, since it can cause severe harm
to a hedgehog’s respiratory system. Place two
inches of bedding throughout the enclosure.
Diet: They Are Hearty Insect Eaters
Unlike rabbits, guinea pigs and many
small rodents, which live on a
vegetarian diet, hedgehogs are
largely carnivorous. In nature, their
diet consists primarily of insects,
although they will also take snakes
and small rodents .
A pet hedgehog should be fed a diet
that is rich in protein, but relatively
low in fat.
Commercially formulated hedgehog
foods are the preferred choice,.
Nutrition cont..
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The main part of your hedgehog diet should consist of a
mix of 2 or more high quality kibble. A light or diet cat
food is the best and should contain meat in the top 5
ingredients. It should be high in protein (30%) and low in
fat (6-14% max.)
HIGH QUALITY KIBBLE
Royal Canin Light 37, Chicken Soup Cat Lovers Soul
Light, Natural Balance,Solid Gold, Wellness, California
Natural, First Mate, Complete Nutrition Hedgehog Diet
MEDIUM QUALITY KIBBLE
8 in 1 Ultra hedgehog, Eukanuba, Iams, L' avian
Hedgehog, PetGold, Purina Pro-Plan, Zoofare
Insectivore
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Since hedgehogs
are nocturnal, they
are more likely to eat
at night. The food
bowl should be
relatively wide (3-6
inches) to minimize
spillage, and no
more than 3-inches
deep.
Hedgehogs also enjoy a variety of our food. These
can be used as snacks. Please remember no salt
or seasoning
MEAT: ALL UNSEASONED: Chicken, turkey, beef,
lamb, pork, tuna, salmon
 VEGGIES: Cooked peas, green pepper, cooked carrot,
cooked squash, cooked sweet potato
 FRUITS: Banana, blueberries, cranberries, kiwi, melon,
pear, slices of apple, strawberry, watermelon
 MISCELLANEOUS: Hard boiled egg, baby food, cottage
cheese, yogurt
 BUGS: Crickets, mealworms, can-o-worms, silkworms,
waxworms (very fattening, only in small moderations)
NEVER FEED:
 Chocolate, human junk food, any type of nuts, bird seed,
raisins, onions
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Water:
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Use Bottles Instead Of Bowls -- Clean, fresh
water should always be available to a hedgehog.
New hedgehogs should be given water from a
bowl, but most will eventually learn to drink from
a bottle.
A hamster-style water bottle should be
introduced to a hedgehog’s enclosure while the
animal is still drinking from a bowl.
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Provide a litter box. Make sure it is large
enough for the hedgehog and clean it every day.
Keep an eye for any irregular bowel movements
which could indicate distress or illness.
Strange behavior
When some hedgehogs, especially
males, become aroused by an
unfamiliar or provocative scent,
they will tug at its source before
pulling away, suddenly
contorting themselves and
foaming at the mouth. The
hedgehog will then go into a
frenzy, spreading the saliva
allover its spines.
Although it looks alarming, this
“self anointing” behavior is quite
normal. Most naturalists believe
that hedgehogs do this as a
form of protection.
Reproduction
Sexual maturity 3-9 months
 Litter size 2-6
 Gestation 32-48 days
 Weaning 5-6 weeks
 Breeding 1-2 times/year spontaneous
ovulates (environment)
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Reproduction
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You will want to choose a single hedgehog since they
are solitary and don’t normally like to share a cage.
Never buy a male and female to be placed in the
same cage unless you intend to breed! Hedgehogs
are ready to breed as early as 8 weeks and females
should never be bred before 5 months, so be careful!
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Both sexes have five nipples. In males the prepuce is
some distance from the anus, near the navel, while in
females the vulva is much closer to the anus. The
testes are intra-abdominal.
Intraabdominal testis
Breeding
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Since you will be bringing the
female to the male's cage, (this
ensures better breeding success)
clean his cage, and remove any
obstacles such as toys, tubes or
boxes that might get in their way.
Then, take her to his cage and
leave them together for about 7
days.
Soon after being placed together,
the male will start to squeak and
squeal (sometimes called plaintive
squeaks) as he chases the female
around the cage.
Once she finally accepts him, (or
just plain gives up - it's hard to say
which!) she will lay her quills down,
flatten to the floor, and push out
her soft-haired rump. It is then, and
only then that he will mount and
breed her.
Physiological values
Weight:
Male 400-600g
Female 300-600g
 Temperature 95.7º-98.6ºF
 Heart rate 180-260 beats per minute
 Respiratory rate 25-50 breaths per minute
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Venipuncture (under anesthesia)
Use 25gauge needle
Diseases
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Common Conditions and Diseases
Skin mites or ringworm (fungal) infections- bothmanifested by
scales, crusts, and the loss of spines.
Gastrointestinal disorders- malnutrition and sudden diet changes
are the most common causes of hedgehog diarrhea.
Dental disease - periodontitis and gingivitis are not uncommon esp.
in hedgehogs maintained on a soft food diet. Large pieces of hard
food may become trapped on the roof of the mouth causing
discomfort.
Cardiac (heart) Disease- may result in weight loss and labored
breathing
Cancer- very common in hedgehogs over 2 years of age. Any
system can be affected (skin, reproductive tract, liver, lymph nodes
etc.) with the oral cavity and skin being two common sites for tumor
development. Clinical signs vary with tumor location and may
include external lumps and bumps, lack of appetite, weight loss and
generalized weakness
Mites
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One of the most common
problems that pet hedgehogs
suffer are from mites. Mites can
originate from an infested bag of
bedding, wood in their cage, or
another animal.
General symptons include quill
loss, scratching, dry flaky skin,and
tattered ears. Mite infestation can
lead to red inflamed skin, open
sores, blindness, ear infections,
and death.
Several species of mites have
been identified, including
sarcoptic, demodectic, psoroptes,
and chorioptes being the most
common
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This image shows evidence of Chorioptes
spp. skin mites thus confirming the
diagnosis
Mites cont.
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Currently most breeders are treating mite
outbreaks with Revolution (r) (selamectin). A
single topical treatment of Revolution will last a
full 30 days and will outlast the life cycle of any
mite.
Revolution's dosage is 1 drop behind the ear for
hedgies weighing less than 350 grams. For
hedgehogs above 350grams, the dosage is 1
drop behind each ear
Ringworm
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Many hedgehogs who encounter
mites may develop Ringworm. If
your hedgehog had mites, it
should be treated for ringworm as
well
It is important to gently soften the
scabs so that the underlying
infection is exposed, using
Almond oil to soften with a soft
toothbrush but brush in the
direction of the spines not against
them.
Ringworm cont..
The standard treatment is to then bathe in IMAVEROL solution
every 3 or 4 days, for 4 baths. Along with the baths using one of the
over-the-counter Anti-Fungals from the local Pharmacy in
conjunction with the baths works very well.
 Do not use oral antifungal treatments like Grisovin as that causes
quite severe liver problems in hedgehogs, stays in the system for an
extremely long time and is passed on to babies causing congenital
deformities
Some safe treatment creams are:
 Canestan 2% (Clotrimazole) cream
 Tinaderm (Tolnaftate) cream
 Daktarin (Miconazole) cream
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Squamous cell carcinoma
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This hedgehog suffers from an
oral cancer known as squamous
cell carcinoma. It is a relatively
common cancer in hedgehogs.
You will find blood in the
hedgehog's food bowl.
The oral cancer is usually found
on the roof of the mouth.
Affected hedgehogs are usually
weakened from a lack of
appetite as a result of the painful
mouth lesion.
Fatty Liver Disease
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Hedgehogs are
sometimes inclined to
getting Fatty Liver
Disease (FLD). While all
reasons are not
understood, there have
been some suggestions
that it can be due to the
type of diet, in some
cases the quantity, lack of
exercise. One of the best
ways to prevent FLD is to
provide a wheel or other
regular excercise.
Dental care
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Using hard food as a
major portion of the diet is
the best prevention, but
as the pet ages gum and
tooth disease may still
develop.
Normal hedgehog teeth
are white and their gums
should be a healthy
medium to dark pink in
colour.
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Signs of dental disease
include a decreased or
complete loss of appetite,
drooling, foul breath,
red/swollen gums, tooth
discolouration and
pawning at the mouth.
Take an x-ray to see if
there are any root
infections, prior to
instituting treatment.
Regular tooth loss occurs
between 2-6 years of age
Questions???