If you are interested in purchasing a hedgehog, there are few different types that are domesticated. The most common species of hedgehog to keep as a pet is the African pygmy hedgehog, a hybrid of the white-bellied or four-toed hedgehog and the Algerian hedgehog, it is also smaller than the European hedgehog. Other species kept as pets are the Egyptian long-eared hedgehog and the Indian long-eared hedgehog. I believe these tree types of hedgehogs, mostly the African pygmy, are the best to have as a pet because they are the most common domesticated ones, are the cutest and are the easyest to maintain.
Hedgehog domestication became popular in the early 1980’s. They still have a lot of their wild behavior, including a fear of predators ( especially humans ), but buying from a decent breeder and properly handling them will amount to having a comfortable relationship. Since they became domesticated, quite a few new colors of hedgehogs have become common, including albino and pinto hedgehogs.
Hedgehog domestication became popular in the early 1980’s. They still have a lot of their wild behavior, including a fear of predators ( especially humans ), but buying from a decent breeder and properly handling them will amount to having a comfortable relationship. Since they became domesticated, quite a few new colors of hedgehogs have become common, including albino and pinto hedgehogs.
The Algerian and the four-toed hedgehog
The North African hedgehog, or Algerian hedgehog, is found in Algeria, France, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain, and Tunisia. It resembles the European hedgehog, however, there are several differences between the two. The North African hedgehog tends to be smaller than the European, measuring anywhere from 20cm to 25cm long. However, it is larger than the other African species of hedgehogs and has a longer snout and longer legs, to make it a faster runner.
The four-toed hedgehog is a species of hedgehogfound throughout much of central and eastern Africa. It is an oval-shaped animal between 15cm and 25cm long. The cross-breed of these two species is called the African pygmy hedgehogs and is the most common domesticated hedgehog.
The four-toed hedgehog is a species of hedgehogfound throughout much of central and eastern Africa. It is an oval-shaped animal between 15cm and 25cm long. The cross-breed of these two species is called the African pygmy hedgehogs and is the most common domesticated hedgehog.
the African pygmy hedgehog
The hedgehogs commonly kept as pets in North America appear to by a mix of species, originally native to Africa. The term "African Pygmy Hedgehog" is a descriptive term , rather than a true species name. They are considered primarily insectivores, meaning that insects make up he largest part of their natural diet. Their backs are covered with rows of hort prickly spines and their bellies are covered with soft fur. When they threatened, they roll in to a tight ball with just a mass of spines pointing and poking out. When relaxed, the spines lay close to flat. Thanks to selective breeding, hedgehogs are now available in a huge array of color variations. They are very miniature and reach an approximate size of around 5-8 inches in length. Estimates of expected life span vary, they usually live anywhere from 3-8 years, although 4-6 years is probably most common. They are also illegal in many areas.
Long-Eared Hedgehogs
The long-eared hedgehog is a species of hedgehog native to Central Asia and some countries of the Middle East. The long-eared hedgehog lives in burrows that it either makes or find, just like most other species of hedgehogs. It is one the smallest hedgehogs from the middle east. This Hedgehog is insectivorous but also feeds on small vertebrates and plants. In captivity they may live as long as 7.5 years. Not unlike other hedgehogs, long-eared hedgehogs have great senses of hearing and smell that they use to hunt out food and detect predators . The long-eared hedgehog's spines are embedded in a unique muscle that forms a bag-like structure which acts as protection for the hedgehog. They can curl into this pouch and point out their spines out to fend off predators.
conclusion
All that said, I hope that my blog has given you enough information to know what you opinion is on what kinds of hedgehogs should be kept as pets. If you are considering buying one, you should get an African pygmy hedgehog, an Egyptian long-eared hedgehog, or an Indian long-eared hedgehog because they are the smallest, the most common to be domesticated, and are the cutest. If for any reason you cannot buy one of these hedgehogs, or you do not like them, I would suggest purchasing another small rodent like pet such as a hamster or a guinea pig.
3 Weel Old Hedgehog Eygyptian Long-eared hedgehog Indian Long-eared Hedgehog
