{"id":38,"date":"2010-04-28T15:43:52","date_gmt":"2010-04-28T15:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lafeber.com\/staging\/vet\/?p=38"},"modified":"2025-03-30T23:48:12","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T04:48:12","slug":"basic-information-for-hedgehogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/basic-information-for-hedgehogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Information Sheet: African Pygmy Hedgehog"},"content":{"rendered":"

African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris<\/em>)<\/h1>\n

\"juv<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Natural history<\/h2>\n

<\/div>


\nThe African pygmy hedgehog is a native of West and Central Africa.<\/p>\n

The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris<\/em>), also known as the central African, white-bellied, or four-toed hedgehog 1<\/sup><\/a>, is native to the savannah and steppe regions of Central Africa, extending from Somalia in the East and Senegal in the West 1<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>4<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>20<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The pet African pygmy hedgehog is probably descended from hybrids of the North African or Algerian hedgehog (A. algirus<\/em>) and the African hedgehog 14<\/sup><\/a>. All pet hedgehogs in the United State are captive-bred.<\/p>\n

In 1991, it became illegal to import hedgehogs from Africa into the United States because African hedgehogs can carry foot and mouth disease 17<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>21<\/sup><\/a>. The potential transmission of foot and mouth disease to cattle 17<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>21<\/sup><\/a> has also made hedgehogs illegal in some states and municipalities. A permit is required in some states and a permit from the United States Department of Agriculture is required for persons who breed, transport, sell, exhibit or use HH for research or teaching purposes. 17<\/sup><\/a>
\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/p>\n
\n

Taxonomy<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n


\nClass<\/strong>: Mammalia<\/em><\/p>\n

Order<\/strong>:\u00a0 Eulipotyphla<\/em><\/em>\u00a0(moles, shrews, solenodons) 4<\/sup><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Family<\/strong>:\u00a0 Erinaceidae<\/em> (gymnures, hedgehogs)<\/p>\n

<\/div>

<\/div><\/p>\n
\n

Conservation status<\/h2>\n

<\/div>
\n

<\/p>\n

The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List lists Atelerix albiventris as a species of least concern. The population is stable 4<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/div>

<\/div><\/p>\n
\n

Diet<\/h2>\n

<\/div>


\nHedgehogs are omnivores however they mainly consume a variety of invertebrates. Hedgehogs also feed on, frogs, lizards, snakes, small mammals,, carrion, as well as vegetables, and fruit in the wild 9<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Captive diets typically consist of a moderate level of protein (30%-50%, dry basis) and fat (10%-20%)9<\/sup><\/a>.:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Protein sources such as high-quality, reduced-calorie cat food (2-3 tsp), live insects (5-6 mealworms or 1-2 crickets 3-4 times weekly), avoid waxworms; bird of prey diet, insectivore diet , or hedgehog diet.<\/li>\n
  2. Produce such as chopped mixed vegetables and\/or fruits (1-2 tsp)<\/li>\n
  3. Avoid dairy products and eggs in non-breeding pets.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Fresh water should be available at all times.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>

    <\/div>
    <\/p>\n

    Husbandry<\/h2>\n

    <\/div>

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Cage design<\/td>\nHouse “hedgies” in an enclosure with smooth walls and flooring such as 15-20 gallon aquarium with a secure, wire mesh lid.<\/p>\n

    Hedgehogs are nocturnal and they prefer a quiet, dim environment.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Substrate<\/td>\nProvide about 10 cm of soft, absorbent bedding (recycled paper product, aspen shavings) to allow burrowing.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Cage furniture<\/td>\nProvide visual security in the form of a cardboard box with one open end, a plastic flower pot, hollow tubes, such as PVC piping, plants, or logs. If multiple hedgehogs are housed together, provide one hide box per animal 17<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Some hedgehogs may also be litter box trained 17<\/sup><\/a>. Alfalfa pellets or recycled paper product generally work best.<\/p>\n

    Solid exercise wheels provide exercise and enrichment opportunities (1<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>17<\/sup><\/a>
    \nOther enrichment items can include swimming tubs, climbing structures, straw or hay, and cardboard tubes (    1<\/sup><\/a>,,<\/sup>17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Target environmental humidity<\/td>\nLow humidity < 40% is preferred 1<\/sup><\/a> 17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Target environmental temperature<\/a> 17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n75-85\u00b0F<\/td>\n24-30\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    <\/td>\nIn a hospital setting, maintain weak or debilitated hedgehogs between 80-85\u00b0F (27-29\u00b0C). 17<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    To prevent torpor, provide supplemental heating if temperature falls below 65\u00b0F (18\u00b0C). Below this temperature, hedgehogs becomes inactive and the immune system is compromised. 16<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/div>

    <\/div>
    <\/p>\n

    Normal physiologic values<\/h2>\n

    <\/div>

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Body temperature (see Metabolism<\/a> below)17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n95.7-98.6\u00b0F<\/td>\n35.4-37.0\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Pulse<\/td>\n180-280 bpm<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Respiration<\/td>\n25-50 bpm<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Body weight<\/td>\nAdult male<\/td>\n400-600 g 17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    <\/td>\nAdult female<\/td>\n250-400 g 1<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Mean life span<\/td>\n3-5 years<\/td>\n4-6 years 17<\/sup><\/a>
    \nUp to 10y recorded<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Sexual maturity<\/td>\nMale 2-6 months 16<\/sup><\/a>
    \nFemale 6-8 months     16<\/sup><\/a>
    \nFemales sexually mature at 2 months but should not be bred before 6 months of age     1<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n    		First breeding at 6-8 months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Gestation 2<\/sup><\/a> 17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n34-37 days 1<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Litter size 2<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n1-9 pups 17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n(average 3-4)1<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Birth weight<\/td>\n10-18 g 17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Eyes open<\/td>\n13-2414-18 days 17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Weaning age 2<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n4-6 weeks<\/td>\nBegin eating solids at 3 weeks 17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/div>

    <\/div>
    <\/p>\n

    Anatomy \u2044Physiology<\/h2>\n

    <\/div>

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Dermatology<\/td>\nThe legs and ventral surface of the hedgehog are covered with light-colored fur.<\/p>\n

    The mantle is the dorsum of the hedgehog, which is covered with thousands of smooth, hollow spines made of keratin 17<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>24<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Dental formula<\/td>\nI (3\/2) C (1\/1) PM (3\/2) M (3\/3) = 36 teeth 1<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>17<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n
    Gastrointestinal tract<\/td>\nHedgehogs possess a simple stomach and lack a cecum. Gastrointestinal transit time is 12-16 hours 17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Musculoskeletal<\/td>\nWhen threatened, the hedgehog curls into a ball by contracting the panniculus muscle. (It also extends its spines, puffs up, and hisses). Hedgehogs can remain rolled up for hours with relatively little muscular effort 17<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Most hedgehogs have five toes, but the African pygmy hedgehog only has four toes on the rear foot.1<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    The tibia and fibula are fused distally 17<\/sup><\/a>. The radius and ulna are also fused.1<\/sup><\/a>, 15<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Reproduction<\/td>\nThe penis is external and located on the mid-ventral abdomen 1<\/sup><\/a>. The testicles are often abdominal, and are not easily palpable. (D\u2019Agostino). Pressure on the abdomen can push the testicles into the inguinal space.<\/p>\n

    Hedgehogs are polygamous.<\/p>\n

    Female hedgehogs possess a bicornuate uterus and a single cervix. 1<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    Special senses<\/td>\nHedgehogs have a keen sense of smell and hearing and poor eyesight 1<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>17<\/sup><\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    <\/a>Metabolism<\/td>\nLike most insectivores, hedgehog body temperature<\/a> is relatively low<\/p>\n

    All hedgehogs are capable of entering torpor during periods of cool, dry weather (temp <65\u00b0F or 18\u00b0C) for up to 6 weeks 17<\/sup><\/a>. Body temperature can drop as low as 1\u00b0C (D\u2019Agostino). Excessively high environmental temperatures can also induce a torpid state. 17<\/sup><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/div>

    <\/div>
    <\/p>\n

    Physical activity<\/h2>\n

    <\/div>


    \nHedgehogs are adept at climbing, digging, swimming and jogging     17<\/sup><\/a>.
    \nNormal HH gait is slow and steady waddle but they are capable of bursts of speed     17<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

    HH can be placed into a large escape-proof enclosure for exercise on a daily basis 1<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>17<\/sup><\/a>. Solid exercise wheels provide exercise and enrichment opportunities 1<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>17<\/sup><\/a>. Other enrichment items can include swimming tubs, climbing structures, straw or hay, and cardboard tubes 1<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>17<\/sup><\/a>
    \n<\/div>

    <\/div>
    \n
    <\/p>\n

    Behavior<\/h2>\n

    <\/div>

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Nocturnal<\/td>\nHedgehogs are nocturnal and they prefer a quiet, dim environment.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Social structure<\/td>\nHedgehogs are solitary creatures that are generally housed alone. Males are particularly likely to fight.23<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    If multiple hedgehogs are housed together, provide one hide box per animal 17<\/sup><\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Defensive behavior<\/td>\nWhen threatened, the hedgehog curls into a ball by contracting the panniculus muscle, to protect the vulnerable ventrum and feet 1<\/sup><\/a>. Hedgehogs can remain rolled up for hours with relatively little muscular effort 17<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

    The hedgehog\u2019s spines, which extend along its head and back, are also a deterrent to predators. Threatened hedgehogs will hiss, puff up, and extend the spines (found along the dorsum).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Self anointing<\/td>\nWhen exposed to a new object, hedgehogs may exhibit a unique “self anointing” or “anting” behavior where they place their thick, frothy saliva onto their spines 3<\/sup><\/a>,<\/sup>8<\/sup><\/a>. Encounter a new or irritating substance > lick substance until saliva is produced > then vigorously groom its quills. The reason for this behavior is unknown. (D\u2019Agostino)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/div>

    <\/div><\/p>\n
    \n

    Restraint<\/h2>\n

    <\/div>

    <\/p>\n