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+ How did you first get into Hedgehogs? Ever since I can remember, I was magically drawn to animals. I grew up on a farm in Mpumalanga and had a variety of animals for pets, such as a lamb, a Dachshund (“sausage dog”, or more commonly known in Afrikaans as a “worsie”), cats, and a significant number of rescue animals which I nurtured and loved as if they have been raised in our family home. I recall once seeing a tiny hedgehog in the wild and was immediately intrigued by this little, precious animal. It was undeniably love at first sight. About 2-3 years ago, I saw a small African Pygmy Hedgehog, and all I can remember is – I WAS INSTANTLY HOOKED + What made you start breeding? Where did you get your first Hedgehog from? I bought a pregnant sow and a boar, and it was truly the most amazing experience to see these precious little hoglets right after their birth. Mommy Hedgehog was a little stressed after she had given birth and so I very patiently had to wait for another whole two weeks before I was allowed to get close enough to them and be allowed to truly appreciate these little bundles of splendour. This mother (that being me of course), and my female hedgehog mothers are extremely protective over her babies (or as us Afrikaners like to say... “Kroos”) What an amazing experience to engage with these marvellous little creatures. The hoglets are tiny but with a HUGE personality, each and every single one of them being of course unique in their own special way. I walk quite an emotional path with them (which obviously leaves me quite emotionally attached) from their birth right up until delivery to their new homes which takes place anything from six (6) weeks onwards. The African Pygmy Hedgehog might be prickly on the outside, but has a soft and gentle personality and they are quite fragile little wonders, deserving of all the love which you could possibly have to offer. + Why do you think people are attracted to Hedgehog? Why are Hedgehogs good pets to have? A healthy hedgehog on a good diet does not have a distinct body odour like a ferret or male mouse. Hedgehogs do not have dander like cats, dogs, or other animals, so they are a better pet option for people who have allergies. ... Hedgehogs are cute, curious and they can be cuddly! + What type of people are they suitable for? Characteristics of Hedgehog Owners Knowledgeable about hedgehogs – the more you know about hedgehogs the better you will understand them and be able to meet their needs Patient – hedgehogs are shy by nature and will depend on your patience as they learn to trust you. Thick skinned – hedgehogs are prickly and they can poke you! This is something you can learn but Hedgehogs are certainly not for you if you are afraid of getting spiked or bit. Gentle – you must be gentle with hedgehogs if they are going to trust you. Observant – your hedgehog is going to depend on you 100% for their needs. You will need to recognize its needs and its subtle ways of communicating. Financially responsible – hedgehogs aren’t cheap and they are most likely to require veterinary care at some point in their life as well as food and supplies throughout their life. Accepting – You must be willing to accept what your hedgehog has to offer. It will most likely never follow commands or do tricks but its quirky habits and the affection it may share can make it quite charming. + Are they suitable for people with children? Youth as Hedgehog Owners I know for a fact that almost every parent who has contacted me about Hedgehogs as pet for their child has an exceptionally bright and talented child that is extremely good with animals. While this may be true, a hedgehog still may not be the right pet for every family. We have found that hedgehogs do best in families where the Hedgehog is a family pet and adults are closely involved in daily Hedgehog care. It is extremely important to monitor the hedgehogs eating, activity levels, temperature, and health every day. Many youth’s interest in hedgehogs can fade over time as their attention is focused on extracurricular activities and other interests. It is best to have another family member who is willing and able to care for the Hedgehog, should the primary owner no longer be able to give their pet the proper attention it needs. Veterinary care for any pet can be quite costly, and it may be unrealistic to expect youth to be solely responsible for 100% of future financial needs. + How are their sleeping patterns? Are they nocturnal? Animals can generally be described as nocturnal, crepuscular, or diurnal, based on the time of day they are awake. These terms can basically be defined as follows: Nocturnal—Animals that are awake primarily at night Crepuscular—Animals that are awake during late evening and early morning Diurnal—Animals that are awake during the day Some hedgehogs may exhibit crepuscular activity, meaning they are active in early morning and early evening, but hedgehogs are considered to be primarily nocturnal. No matter how the hedgehog is technically defined or described, each is going to have its own schedule of activities or routine. + What food do they eat? Although there are hedgehog foods available in stores, dry low fat cat formula are preferable. All our Hedgehogs are on Royal Canin Kitten, dry low fat cat formula with the correct ratio fat and protein. We hardly ever have an ill Hedgehog. Whatever commercial food you choose should be supplemented by a variety of other foods such as vegetables, mealworms and crickets, cooked meats and fruits.
Apple Carrot (cooked; too hard when raw, except possibly as thin salad-style shavings) Banana Melon (watermelon tends to be popular, but keep in mind it's pretty much all water/sugar; generally best used in moderation) Sweet potato Squash Peach/nectarine Plum Pear Cherries Strawberries (and other berries, though it's recommended to remove the skin from blueberries) Dandelion greens Peppers (obviously not spicy ones; green/yellow/red bell peppers are good) Asparagus Green beans Cucumber (pretty much all water, little nutritional value) Spinach Zucchini Broccoli
Grapes/raisins Anything citrus or too acidic (includes the obvious, orange/lemon/lime/grapefruit; also pineapple, tomato, pomegranate, kiwi) Anything seasoned Certain herbs (because of potentially harmful medicinal properties; best to either do research on a particular one before offering it, or just don't bother with herbs in general) Garlic Onion
Peas (high sugar content) Corn (same as above, not digested well) Avocado (high fat content) Anything canned in salt water (small amounts if at all; there are a lot of good fresh produce options, so you might as well just avoid this entirely) Anything canned in sugar water/syrup (same as above) Skin should be removed where applicable, to avoid possible choking. Dried fruits/vegetables should be avoided because they're difficult to chew and digest, and especially with fruits, the drying process essentially condenses the sugar content. Carrots definitely should be cooked; that applies to some of the others also, just use logic + How long do they live for? Hedgehogs live between four and six years. + What are common health problems with them? Hedgehogs can suffer from a variety of medical problems; some of the more common issues include:
Hedgehogs that are overfed and don’t get enough exercise can develop obesity. You can tell your hedgehog is overweight because it will have excess flesh under its stomach that may hang down. An obese hedgehog may also have trouble walking and running. To prevent obesity, don’t feed your hedgehog more than 4 tablespoons of commercial hedgehog food or dry cat food per day. Keep fruit treats to a minimum as well.
Hedgehogs are prone to skin mites and ear mites. Skin mites can cause itching and irritation to the skin. Ear mites can cause ear irritation and a foul-smelling discharge inside the hedgehog’s ears. Your veterinarian must diagnose and treat both skin and ear mites. Help prevent these problems by quarantining any new hedgehogs that come into your home for at least two weeks to make sure they don’t have skin or ear mites.
A neurological condition called Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) affects domestic hedgehogs. Signs of this disease are chronic, progressive paralysis that ultimately renders the hedgehog enable to walk. Signs usually show up in the hindquarters first, and the hedgehog wobbles when it walks. This disease can strike a hedgehog of any age, and may be genetic. Take your hedgehog to an exotics veterinarian if you suspect WHS. Other illnesses such as nutritional deficiencies, strokes, tumours, bacterial infections and injuries may also have similar signs; only a veterinarian can make a definitive diagnosis. Veterinarians do not have a cure for WHS. If you buy a hedgehog, make sure you purchase it from a reputable breeder who only breeds healthy hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs have protruding eyes that are susceptible to injury and irritation. Signs of eye irritation including holding the eye shut, pawing at the eye or tearing. The eye may be irritated by dust or another foreign object, or it might be hurting because of a scratch or eye infection. Your vet must diagnose the problem. To prevent eye issues, keep your hedgehog’s cage clean and free of sharp objects that may scratch its eyes.
Hedgehogs can easily develop respiratory infections. Bacterial infections such as pneumonia are common in hedgehogs. A hedgehog with a respiratory infection may have a runny or crusty nose and eyes, and may have raspy breathing or coughing. If left untreated, the infection may result in lethargy and loss of appetite. Hedgehogs can die from untreated respiratory infections. Your veterinarian can diagnose and treat your hedgehog’s respiratory infection. To help keep your hedgehog from developing the problem in the first place, isolate new hedgehogs for at least two weeks so you know they are healthy before you introduce them to your resident hedgehogs. Keep your small pet’s cage clean, and make sure it’s not exposed to drafts. A well fed Hedgehog with a clean cage is a healthy and happy Hedgehog. + Are they legal in all of South Africa? Permits & legal information African Pygmy Hedgehogs are not legal to own in all South African provinces. In some provinces it is illegal to own an African Pygmy Hedgehog, in some it is perfectly legal, and in order, it is only legal if you have acquired a permit from your local nature conservation officer. The below information has been acquired by directly emailing the appropriate authorities in each province (email address provided), and was correct at the date specified.
Illegal / Contact: Alan.Southwood@dedea.gov.za / August 2017
Legal, permit required / Contact: permits@vodamail.co.za /April 2017
Illegal / Contact: dhignett@capenature.co.za / April 2017
Illegal / Contact: andres@detea.fs.gov.za / May 2017
Legal, no permit required / Contact: SAMANTHA.JANSEVANRENSBURG@gauteng.gov.za / August 2017
Legal, permit required / Contact: Permits.Permits@kznwildlife.com / August 2017
Legal, no permit required / Contact: VanWettenAA@ledet.gov.za / May 2017
Legal, permit required / Contact: Dorothy.Makaringe@mtpa.co.za / May 2017
Legal, permit required / Contact: bdiole@nwpg.gov.za / August 2017 + Have you shipped your animals before? We do not ship our Hedgehogs. + What process do potential hedge owners go through to get a hedgehog from you? Do you screen your potential Hedgehog owners before you allow them to buy them? I have a constant interaction before and during buying process. I gave continuous after sale support. My informative Facebook page with links and videos assure that potential buyers are ready to be a Hedgehog parent. I have links to information on my Facebook page, where potential Hedgehog parents can acquaint themselves if they are ready or not. All the pros and cons of owning a Hedgehog are highlighted. + How much do Hedgehogs go for? Typical costs: My Hedgehogs range in price from about R500 to R2000, depending on the hedgehog's age, colour, and facial markings. Importing Exotic Hedgehogs like the Algerian Black can cost you an arm and a leg.... + You take beautiful photos of your Hedgehogs. Is it hard to get them to "pose" for you? Hoglets do not sit still for a photo session. One has to take quite a few pictures, and then decide what to use. It's handy if someone can assist you. My husband is of great help. I handle the hoglets and he takes the photos. It of course helps that we have a passion for the cute little bundles of joy. + Where can one purchase Hedgehog accessories? (things for them to play with) One can buy the following from pet shop:
+ What are some common mistakes that first time owners tend to make? Many new hedgehog owners are nervous about handling their spiny pets. Hedgehogs can be handled (they are not too prickly), although some patience is required to make sure your hedgehog is both safe and comfortable in your hands. Do not handle too much during the day. A sleepy hedgehog can be grumpy which will make this task practically impossible. They need to get acquainted to your smell. Allow them to sniff. Don't change your perfume or body lotion the first week, you don't want to give them an identity crisis. You need to trust each other. Be patient, don't get put off by its balled up nature. To ball up, a hedgehog tightens this muscle, which acts like a drawstring. This enables the hedgehog to hide its head, belly, feet, and legs in a prickly coat of erect spines. A balled-up hedgehog may also snuffle, snort, or pop to seem scarier and more menacing to potential dangers. Some hedgehogs are slower to trust. If he was very bonded to his former owner or had bad experiences with other humans, it may take him a while to determine you are trustworthy. Sit with him in a quiet environment, offer him meal worms as encouragement, and be extremely patient. As you can see being patient is the main quality a Hedgehog owner must have. + How are vets towards hedgehogs? Very eager to help, but I prefer a vet for exotic animals for more severe cases. In case of smaller "problems" (cold etc.) I take my Hedgehogs to our local vet. He is very caring. As I said before, well fed Hedgehogs and a proper cared for Hedgehog does not often fall ill. + Caring for Your Pet Hedgehog Once You Get It Home Keep the following in mind:
+ Out of all your hedgehogs which is your favourite? Domino - He is extremely playful with a huge personality. He bites, but not to hurt you, it's his way of communicating. He is a split nosed hedgehog. He is almost a year now. He was so small when I got him; I carried him around in my clothes to make him feels safe. Ask a question
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