More and more people adopt a hedgehog as a pet, however, not much is known about them yet. They are relatively easy animals to keep and care for and, in addition, they are adorable. But have you ever wondered what the gestation period of these funny little animals is like? Keep reading this article on our site and find out everything about the reproduction of the African hedgehog
The breeding age of the African hedgehog
In order for African hedgehogs to reproduce, they must have reached sexual maturity, which will be after five months for males and six months for females. Despite this, it is advisable to wait until they are a year old to ensure that they are fully developed and neither the mother nor the young will be in danger.
If females become pregnant before that age they will have serious he alth problems, since early pregnancies slow down growth and ossification of the skeleton, which will cause serious problems in childbirth and even death.
If, on the other hand, the female is older than two years, it is not recommended that she reproduce. Her bones will already be too stiff and, again, they can cause dilation problems at birth. If she is over three years old she must not get pregnant under any circumstances
Male males, on the other hand, are not very fertile before reaching sexual maturity, so it is unlikely that they will impregnate a female, although this does not mean that it is impossible. Of course, if a female is fertilized, due to the low quality of the sperm, since they are not yet fully developed, she could have offspring with serious he alth problems.
The Courtship
The breeding stage of the African hedgehog begins in spring and ends in late summer. During this time the hedgehog can get pregnant several times, although it is not recommended.
During the so-called “carousel of the hedgehogs” the male starts running around the femalemaking little cries to get her attention. This behavior can last for hours until the female is receptive. At this time, she will lower her quills and the hedgehog will mount her.
Other times, younger hedgehogs may nip at the female's quills or stick her snout between her legs until she relents and lowers her quills. If she is not receptive and the male does not stop insisting, she may even attack him to make him leave her alone
How long is the pregnancy and what are the symptoms
A hedgehog pregnancy lasts between 30 and 35 days, and the symptoms it presents are:
- Weight gain.
- Change in me altime, you may eat more or not have an appetite.
- Your nipples will swell.
- The smell of urine and stool will be stronger.
- It will begin to build a nest.
- Change in behavior, may be more active than usual or more apathetic.
Childbirth
The final stage of reproduction for the African hedgehog is parturition. After 35 days of pregnancy, the female will give birth in her nest to a litter of between one and nine blind and deaf hedgehogs, which will develop their senses as they grow.
It is important not to disturb the mother during delivery or after of it, as well as letting her rest and breastfeed her young quietly. In case of feeling stress, the hedgehog could kill its own young. Therefore, when you have to clean the terrarium, it must be done very delicately so that it does not feel threatened. After weaning, which occurs after a month or a month and a half, the females must be separated from the males so that they do not reproduce with each other, firstly because they are very young, and secondly because crossings with inbred hedgehogs can cause diseases in pups.
The female can become pregnant again as soon as she has the young, so it is not recommended that the male is in the same terrarium as her.
Before you breed your hedgehog, think twice
If you enjoy the company of one or more African hedgehogs, and you are considering the possibility of making them reproduce, our site recommends against doing so for several reasons.
Since the 1990s, the demand for the African hedgehog as a pet has not stopped growing, a fact that has led to the extraction of hundreds of specimens from their habitat and has reduced their natural reproduction. On the other hand, since the African hedgehog can have up to nine offspring, you should ask yourself if you have the space and the optimal conditions to keep so many specimens.
If you are still completely determined to carry out your decision, don't forget to consult with the veterinarian to offer your little companion the better conditions.
