The land urchins have become enormously popular in recent years, probably because of their curious appearance, their upturned nose and the thousands of spikes they have. However, we must understand that it is not a domestic animal, such as a cat or a dog, but rather they are wild nature and require special care. To adopt a hedgehog as a pet, it is essential to know its specific needs, in addition to respecting its behavior and its own nature
If you are passionate about these animals, you probably want to know everything about them, for that reason, in this article on our site, we will show you 7 curiosities about hedgehogsto help you learn more about these captivating animals.
1. There are several types of hedgehogs
Although they may appear similar at first glance, 16 types of hedgehogs are currently known to inhabit Africa, Asia and Europe The African pygmy hedgehog and the long-eared hedgehog are the most common species as pets. In general, its body measures between 10 and 15 centimeters, weighing up to 400 grams. An interesting feature is that, just like us, hedgehogs have 5 fingers on each of their legs, with powerful and sharp nails.
Are you thinking of adopting a hedgehog as a pet? Therefore, we recommend that you research the specific needs of each breed well and remember to consult beforehand with veterinarians or exotic animal adoption centers. On our site, we tell you everything about the basic care of a hedgehog, don't miss it!
two. How many quills does a hedgehog have?
One of the characteristics that identifies the hedgehog are the spikes that cover its body. Have you ever wondered how many quills a hedgehog has? An adult hedgehog typically has more than 5,000 "spines" on its back. These structures are hollow, full of keratin, have a flexible base and act as a defense mechanism. During their youth, hedgehogs can change their quills to make room for the growth of new ones. However, the loss of quills in an adult hedgehog can also be a stress symptom
Another interesting curiosity about hedgehogs is that they have muscles on their back that allow them to hide their quills in moments of calm, or Take them out to defend yourself. When they detect a potential threat, they curl up and position themselves like a "ball of thorns." Thus, they hide and protect the "weakest" part of their body (where their vital organs are), exposing nothing but their quills to ward off predators. They also adopt rapid breathing until they perceive that the danger has disappeared.
3. They make different sounds to communicate
Hedgehogs have excellent hearing and a very good sense of smell, but their vision is not as well developed. For this reason, they orient themselves in their habitat and communicate mainly through sounds and smells. Currently, it is known that hedgehogs use a wide range of sounds to communicate with their peers, emitting from growls to powerful screeches.
When adopting a hedgehog as a pet, it is also essential to remember that these little animals are very sensitive to loud sounds and sudden movements. These sudden, violent or exaggerated stimuli are interpreted as disturbances in their environment, which causes stress in the hedgehogs.
4. New smells can make them foam
Many guardians are frightened when they notice that their hedgehogs intensely secrete a foam which they then use to coat their quills. Although science has not yet been able to explain exactly the purpose of this behavior, it is known that it is a kind of "habit" that hedgehogs perform when identifying new odors.
This "ritual" is known as anointing On sensing a new scent, the hedgehog heads towards the source of this scent and nibbles Then, he begins to rub his quills to reverse them with the saliva secreted by the excitement of feeling this new and intriguing aroma.
5. They are solitary and crepuscular animals
In their natural habitat, hedgehogs are solitary animals (they usually come together only during the breeding season), shy andtwilight habits Many people are surprised to find that the hedgehog sleeps throughout the day and is only more willing to play during the early hours of the morning or after sunset. These are the times when its metabolism is most active and must be respected, for this reason, Under no circumstances should a hedgehog be awakened during the day
If we want our hedgehog to live with other pets, it will be essential to socialize it from the time it is a baby. However, those who intend to adopt a hedgehog as a pet also need to consider that these animals will not always be as sociable as we would like. Actually, it is important to consider that some hedgehogs never completely lose their fear of living with human beings and their "noisy routines". As we explained in the introduction, these are wild animals, not domestic animals.
In addition, we must remember that their behavior and way of showing affection will not be like that of a dog or a cat. So don't expect a hedgehog to greet you at the door when you return home or chase you to play ball, for example.
6. They can also get sick
Hedgehogs are sensitive animals that can also get sick when not properly cared for to preserve their optimal physical and mental he alth. Among the most common diseases of hedgehogs we find:
- A cold
- Obesity
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Cracked ears
To prevent these pathologies and offer an excellent quality of life to your hedgehog, remember to make regular visits to a veterinary expert in exotic animals With the guidance of a specialized professional, you will be able to provide complete and balanced nutrition to your partner, as well as adequate preventive medicine.
7. Its possession is illegal in some countries/jurisdictions
In some countries or jurisdictions, it is not allowed to keep hedgehogs as a pet. In the states of Arizona and California (USA), for example, hedgehogs are considered "wild animals" and their possession is illegal.
Therefore, remember to inform yourself carefully before adopting, traveling or moving with your hedgehog. In addition, in Spain, it is totally prohibited to breed two protected hedgehog species in captivity: the common hedgehog and the Moorish hedgehog. And of course, you can't pick up a hedgehog from the wild that you find in the field to tame it.
