Cute Baby African Pygmy Hedgehog

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African Pygmy Hedgehogs are fairly small and can be kept in a relatively small enclosure. Their care is similar to that of a hamster. They are nocturnal but like a ferret, will wake and play with you during whatever time you have to share with them. These hedgehogs can be trained to use a litter box, and if their cage is kept clean they have very little discernible odor associated with them. Other animals like ferrets have a particular musk about them (even after they have been de-scented) that just never really goes away. In the case of ferrets giving them a bath only seems to increase their natural musk production.

Close-up of Pygmy Hedgehog Spines

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Their spines are fairly pointy, but not overly sharp nor barbed like a porcupine’s quills. The quills of the pygmy hedgehog do not shed or pull out like that of a porcupine either. Pygmy hedgehog can curl up into a ball for defense and using tiny muscles near the base of the quills cause them to move about slowly like little swords being waved in the air. It is all intimidation really. If touched or molested they will jerk their body suddenly to try and confuse or frighten away the attacker. If held and played a lot with will likely not even bother rolling into a ball or doing any other defensive gestures. They become very tame and they almost seem to enjoy being held and cuddled. Fond of licking your fingers if they detect any scent or flavor on your skin that appeals to them, be wary that they may try to give a little nip or bite.

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They are entertaining and love toys, anything that makes noise like little bells, balls, etc. For their exercise and to prevent boredom, be sure to include an exercise wheel. One that is of a solid tread design and not wires is best for hedgehogs. Little feet might become entangled in the open-wire design.

Hedgehogs will chew, you would be wise to be mindful of plastic and rubber items in the cage and around the home. A hedgehog that has supervised roaming privileges might easily chew the buttons off of your television remote control or chew on electric lamp cords. There is a product that can be bought at pet stores for coating lamp cords, -it tastes like bitter apple. Maybe that is even the name of the product? This works for discouraging ferrets from chewing lamp cords and remote controls and perhaps might work for hedgehogs as well. Still, prevention is better than protection. Keep such items out of reach of your spiny pet.

Protective Huddle

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Their diet is fairly simple, high protein low fat. They love cooked chicken. Canned cat food that is chicken-based is a good entrée. Raw vegetables and fruits occasionally to supplement their diet are good too. Some low-fat yogurt is fine, but do not give cow’s milk. The research is still lacking here but it is suggested that African Pygmy Hedgehogs cannot tolerate lactose, the sugar that is in cow’s milk. If you have a baby hedgehog or any hedgehog that requires milk, use goat’s milk only. It is easier to digest for their sensitive tummies. Wild hedge hogs eat mostly insects but your pet would likely do better if you avoided feeding any wild caught insects. A regular treat of pet-store bought meal worms would be nice though. They really enjoy these.

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Hedgehog pets will raise their spines at first in a bottle-brush like attitude but the more you handle and play with him or her, the tamer they become and the spines will lay flat. This makes touching and stroking the pet easier and more pleasant for you, building trust and friendship. In time, your pet may never raise his or her quills at all.

Oh So Cute!

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Like so many animals, different states have different laws regarding whether or not you can legally own an African Pygmy Hedgehog. Even some cities (New York City and Denver, for instance) have enacted special laws where it is illegal to own hedgehogs while the rest of the state (New York state and Colorado respectively) it is legally permitted. Know your laws in advance.

Ambiguity with the New York City law; while not explicitly named as being legal or illegal, hedgehogs ARE cited as being a violation of a Health Code in a year 2000 ordinance. Perhaps this law needs clarification or redress. But either way you don’t want to be caught possessing an illegal pet. The fines are steep if your animal is confiscated it will likely be euthanized.