The African pygmy hedgehog has become, in recent years, a frequent pet in countries such as the United States, Spain, Chile and Argentina. However, if you are thinking of getting one, you should know that in Spain it is illegal to have it , release it, commercialize it, reproduce it or transfer it (many people, to commercialize with them, do not advertise that they “sell” them but rather “give them away”). Also get used to the idea that he will not come when you call him or interact with you like a dog or cat would . It is not a pet to use, in fact we should not have it at home no matter how cute they seem .
Royal Decree 630/2013, which regulates the Spanish Catalog of invasive alien species, published on August 2, 2013 in the BOE, includes the Atelerix Albiventris or African pygmy hedgehog or white-bellied hedgehog and the Hemiechinus Auritus or hedgehog. Egyptian or long-eared on your list. Quoting verbatim from the BOE publication: “Invasive alien species are one of the main causes of loss of biodiversity in the world ” and since the cited date their possession and trade has been prohibited. Before 2013 it was not allowed to take a hedgehog from the field and take it home.
People who declared the possession of a hedgehog one year after the entry into force of the aforementioned regulations, will not have any problem. They were also obliged to sterilize and identify the animal, as well as sign a declaration of responsibility.
Nor can you have a European hedgehog or a Moorish hedgehog as a pet . If, despite everything we have told you and going against the law, you decide to get a hedgehog, you must provide the best care. Next, we will tell you the basics that you must carry out.
The hedgehog sleeps most of the day and is active at night . That does not mean that you should lower the blind in the room so that it can sleep but quite the opposite: the hedgehog has to know when it is day and when it is night. Of course, we will place your house in an area of the house that has little lighting.
Your house will be a cage that must measure at least 175x70x50 cm . Inside you can place natural enrichment elements such as walkways, logs, herbs, a wheel without bars for exercise and a nest or a house with a wide entrance door so that it can take refuge whenever it wants and as a cage background we will choose wood shavings not treated. You can add a box with sand for him to dig.
The African pygmy hedgehog comes from a very warm climate so you will have to maintain a temperature between 25º-27º in the room with the help of thermal accessories. If you don’t, it will hibernate.
The hedgehog will need food of its kind and if we could not find it, we would have to ask an exotics veterinarian what he recommends. Low-fat insectivorous food is often offered for mammals. Neither can insects, fruits and vegetables be absent from your diet.
The drinker that best suits him is the bottle type, so that the entire cage is not filled with water. As a feeder, we will choose a metal container or one anchored to the cage that cannot be overturned.
This small mammal is very clean , so you will not need to wash it more than every two or three months with warm water (never hot!), With neutral shampoo and a soft brush, for example, teeth, only for the bristles. Clean the tummy and legs with your hands. Then you will have to dry it very well with a towel . By the way, he usually relieves himself when he’s in the water so be careful.
As for their nails, you should cut them only if they are very long . To give the hedgehog a manicure, you should use small nail clippers or a small nail clipper. You only need to cut the tips of the nails or else you could bleed and hurt him. If you see it too complicated, take it to the vet. He can do it the first time and teach you.
