Univix
Hedgehogs 101
I think this picture describes them well - Ozzy being his usual outgoing uber-friendly self with a high interest in the camera (not because he knows his picture is getting taken, but because he enjoys sniffing the lense.. not idea why haha). & Then Dizzy, on the defense when the flash goes off because quick movements and loud noises and pretty much anything strange scares her. She's considerably friendly otherwise though. :]
So for anybody who may be interested in getting an African Pygmy Hedgehog, I can tell you a bit about them.
Check with your area/state to make sure it's legal! I don't remember off the top of my head which states don't allow people to legally own African Pygmy Hedgehogs, but make sure to check it out first.
Make sure the breeder you purchase from is one who handles their hedgies. If not handled the hoglets could be extremely frightened by human contact and with a temperament like that it obviously won't be a lot of fun having one. The quills hurt when they want them to!
& While we're on the subject of quills, I have been asked this before, but no hedgehogs' quills will not come out and stick into your skin like a porcupine's. However when they are younger their quills will occasionally fall out.
If you are picking from a litter of hedgies, choose by personality, not color! (Unless you have the time to handle a shy hedgie). The more outgoing and friendly ones are worth more as a pet than ones with a neat color. :]
Make sure to research! There are certain things a hedgehog can and cannot have. For example, never give your hedgehog cedar bedding. If digested the cedar could kill them.
If anybody has any questions, don't be afraid to ask!
- Oh and Ozzy and Dizzy will be breeding mid-March. Will keep everyone updated!
Overall, I would highly recommend a hedgehog for a pet. I'm just as excited to have them today as I was the day I got them. They're labeled as "exotic" pets, so the price for one usually ranges from $100 to $500. The quills don't hurt to pet when they are relaxed. (In the picture, Ozzy's are relaxed and Dizzy's are on the defense). They love to try to eat things they probably shouldn't so do keep an eye on them if you have them out. All they require for homing is pretty much what you'd have for a hamster. BUT they eat dry cat food, not hamster food! Their personalities are all individual, so keep that in mind! :]
Hedgehogs 101
I think this picture describes them well - Ozzy being his usual outgoing uber-friendly self with a high interest in the camera (not because he knows his picture is getting taken, but because he enjoys sniffing the lense.. not idea why haha). & Then Dizzy, on the defense when the flash goes off because quick movements and loud noises and pretty much anything strange scares her. She's considerably friendly otherwise though. :]
So for anybody who may be interested in getting an African Pygmy Hedgehog, I can tell you a bit about them.
Check with your area/state to make sure it's legal! I don't remember off the top of my head which states don't allow people to legally own African Pygmy Hedgehogs, but make sure to check it out first.
Make sure the breeder you purchase from is one who handles their hedgies. If not handled the hoglets could be extremely frightened by human contact and with a temperament like that it obviously won't be a lot of fun having one. The quills hurt when they want them to!
& While we're on the subject of quills, I have been asked this before, but no hedgehogs' quills will not come out and stick into your skin like a porcupine's. However when they are younger their quills will occasionally fall out.
If you are picking from a litter of hedgies, choose by personality, not color! (Unless you have the time to handle a shy hedgie). The more outgoing and friendly ones are worth more as a pet than ones with a neat color. :]
Make sure to research! There are certain things a hedgehog can and cannot have. For example, never give your hedgehog cedar bedding. If digested the cedar could kill them.
If anybody has any questions, don't be afraid to ask!
- Oh and Ozzy and Dizzy will be breeding mid-March. Will keep everyone updated!
Overall, I would highly recommend a hedgehog for a pet. I'm just as excited to have them today as I was the day I got them. They're labeled as "exotic" pets, so the price for one usually ranges from $100 to $500. The quills don't hurt to pet when they are relaxed. (In the picture, Ozzy's are relaxed and Dizzy's are on the defense). They love to try to eat things they probably shouldn't so do keep an eye on them if you have them out. All they require for homing is pretty much what you'd have for a hamster. BUT they eat dry cat food, not hamster food! Their personalities are all individual, so keep that in mind! :]