Mary Allen
Hedgehogs are cute animals – no question. But can you keep the prickly four-legged friend as a normal pet – a hedgehog as a pet? This is indeed possible under certain circumstances.
In this article, you will learn why you should not keep a domestic hedgehog as a pet and what alternatives there are. We will also give you everything you need to keep a hedgehog.
Keeping a Hedgehog as a Pet – Is That Allowed?
Free-living hedgehogs are protected species in Germany. Under no circumstances should you try to capture a hedgehog and then keep it as a pet. The African white-bellied hedgehog is an exception to this rule. It is suitable as a pet and has been specially bred to do so.
Natural Habitat & Life Expectancy
Originally, the African white-bellied hedgehog is at home in the savannas and dry grasslands of the countries of Central Africa. These include the following regions: West Sudanese savannah, from Senegal to southern Sudan and South Sudan. Western Somalia, Ogaden, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, and the Ethiopian Highlands.
In Zambia, the north bank of the Zambezi should also be mentioned. There is an isolated occurrence of this hedgehog species here.
In the wild, he rarely gets older than 3 years. In captivity, specimens have been reported to be up to 10 years old.
- Originally from the countries of Central Africa
- Life expectancy up to 10 years in captivity
- Life expectancy in nature maximum of 3 years
Appearance
With a head-body length of up to 25 cm, the African white-breasted hedgehog is a slightly smaller representative of its kind in contrast to our native brown-chested hedgehog with up to 30 cm. Its tail is 1 to 1.6 cm long. Its hind feet are about 2.6 to 2.9 cm long.
The spines have different lengths depending on the body region. They are longest on the head at up to 17 mm. They grow up to 14 mm long on the back and 5 to 15 mm long on the rest of the body. It is dark brown on the upper side of the body, partly also black-brown, on the underside its eponymous white coloring and its spines have black tips.
Behavior
White-bellied hedgehogs are active at dusk and at night. This means that they start looking for food (insects) at dusk and hide from predators during the day. They like to use piles of leaves, burrows, or other hiding places found in nature.
In contrast to the brown-breasted hedgehog native to Germany, the white-bellied hedgehog does not hibernate. This is related to the fact that there is no reason for this in the Central African region. However, it can be observed that they are taking a “summer break”.
During the hot summer months, they take a short break for this. During this time, they are less active and more hidden. This behavior is rare in captivity, but it shouldn’t be a cause for concern.
When threatened, they roll up to protect themselves from enemies using their spikes as a shield. Although they are very cautious animals, they can still be hand-tamed.
Keeping the White-bellied Hedgehog
When keeping white-bellied hedgehogs, you have to pay attention to a few things. You need a suitable terrarium with the appropriate equipment, as well as enough space for the active animal to run around. An apartment furnished according to the needs of the animal or a secure outdoor enclosure is sufficient for this.
The Terrarium – It Should Be Big
With many pets, more space is always better. The terrarium of the white-bellied hedgehog should be at least 150x60x60 cm. In addition, several floors should be available in it.
The reason for this is the high urge to move these small spiny animals. Apart from that, the terrarium should not be made entirely of glass, as this results in fewer places to retreat. We recommend a classic terrarium with a combination of OSB panels and glass panes.
The Facility – Please with a Hiding Place
You can use either fine sand or normal small animal litter as bedding. Make sure that the sand is not too coarse (risk of injury!). Hay is not recommended as hedgehogs can get their legs tangled in it and injure themselves.
In principle, all types of caves, tubes, or rodent houses that can be bought as decorative objects for terrariums are suitable as hiding places. Or you can assemble something yourself – feel free to be creative here. If you want to keep several hedgehogs, you will of course need more hiding places.
Feeding and drinking bowls are part of the basic equipment and are mandatory. In addition, white-bellied hedgehogs also like to take a sand bath. For this, you can place a small bowl with fine sand in the terrarium.
We strongly advise reserving a corner of the terrarium for a small animal toilet. White-bellied hedgehogs are also clean and like to do their business in the right place. You can line them with cat litter or newspaper.
ADDITIONAL TIP: Rebuild the terrarium regularly! White-bellied hedgehogs are curious animals and they love a certain variety. So change the setup or replace individual parts completely.
Diet – Eating & Drinking White-bellied Hedgehogs
We have already mentioned above that white-bellied hedgehogs are insectivores. So these are the staple food – even in captivity. But that doesn’t mean you have to offer them only insects. Worms, snails, larvae, bird eggs, and (albeit in small amounts) fruits can also be fed for nutrition.
It is best to buy the insects from a pet store near you. You should refrain from capturing and feeding insects from the wild as they can transmit disease.
Dry cat food with a high protein content of at least 60% can be used as additional feed. The same goes for wet food.
Always pay attention to variety in order to avoid deficiency symptoms.
The white-bellied hedgehog should get fresh water every day. Milk is absolutely taboo since hedgehogs are basically lactose intolerant and therefore cannot process the milk sugar.
Diseases
Under certain circumstances, white-bellied hedgehogs can also become infected with certain diseases or parasites in Germany. If you notice any changes in behavior or eating habits, you should consult a veterinarian in your area.
Hedgehogs can be infested by parasites such as fleas, ticks, or mites. A clear sign of this is constant itching.
If your hedgehog can no longer or only partially move certain body parts, this can be a symptom of “Wobbly Hedhegod Syndrome”. The reason for this disease has not yet been fully clarified – but unfortunately often leads to the death of the animal.
If your hedgehog’s paws have sores, this could be a sign of improper or poor housing conditions. Look for sharp edges in your terrarium, or swap out the bedding for a softer variety. A veterinarian should also be consulted if the injuries are too severe.
Where Can You Buy an African White-bellied Hedgehog?
It is best to buy an African white-bellied hedgehog directly from a nearby breeder. Since finding a breeder can be quite a difficult task depending on the region, we have made a list of breeders for you. This is gradually being expanded. If you know a breeder that isn’t on the list yet, please leave us a comment!
Frequently Asked Questions About “Hedgehogs as Pets”
How much does a White-bellied Hedgehog cost as a pet?
An African white-bellied hedgehog costs around $100. Depending on the breeder, the price can also be higher.
Are White-bellied Hedgehogs loners?
Yes! White-bellied hedgehogs are solitary creatures that only meet during the mating season. A pair should only be kept together during breeding until the female is pregnant.
Where to buy White-bellied Hedgehogs?
White-bellied hedgehogs can be bought from hedgehog breeders, through a private sale, in pet shops, in animal shelters, or from animal markets.
Are African White-bellied Hedgehogs Taming?
African white-bellied hedgehogs can actually be tamed. But this is directly related to the character of the animal.
How long are White-headed Hedgehogs pregnant?
White-bellied hedgehogs are usually about 36 days pregnant.