What to feed a hedgehog at home, complete list of products

All people have seen hedgehogs – some live, some in pictures. The animal is miniature in size and looks cute, but it is better not to pet it due to the large number of spines. In photographs you can often see a hedgehog carrying berries, fruits and mushrooms on its back. It becomes clear what he eats in the wild. If a person wants to have such a pet, then he should first find out what hedgehogs eat and how to properly care for them. If you create comfortable conditions, then you will be able to keep the animal and observe its behavior without any problems.

Care and maintenance

African pygmy hedgehogs are not capable of living in their natural environment. Decorative animals cannot tolerate low and high temperatures. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a certain microclimate in the room. The temperature there should be between 20-25°. If this indicator drops to 15°, the animals will hibernate.

Cage and filler

A decorative exotic living in an apartment needs a spacious cage with a solid bottom measuring at least 60 x 60 cm. It must be equipped with strong, thick bars through which the pet cannot get out.

It is recommended to cover the floor with a uniform layer 1.5-2 cm thick of birch sawdust, granulated paper or special filler. The filler needs to be changed as it gets dirty, but at least once a week.

African pygmy hedgehogs are quite shy, so the cage must have a house in which they can hide. It is also recommended to install a running wheel with a diameter of about 30 cm, a well-fixed drinking bowl, a heavy feeder and a tray.

The prickly animal is a big fan of entertainment. You can buy tunnels, balls and bells as toys for your animal.

Hygiene

In order for a decorative animal to have a neat appearance, it must be properly cared for. To eliminate parasites, heavy dirt and unpleasant odors, your pet needs to be bathed. It is recommended that the animal undergo bathing procedures no more than 1-2 times a month.

The pet is slowly immersed in a basin of warm water, carefully supported by the upper part of the body. First, thoroughly wash the paws and stomach, and only then begin to treat the back.

The pet's spines are carefully washed with a toothbrush and baby shampoo. Upon completion of the procedure, the animal is thoroughly rinsed, wrapped in a towel and waited for it to dry.

Taming

For a pygmy hedgehog to become a true friend, it needs to be educated. You can influence the character of a prickly pet if it is not yet 6 months old. Since the animal sleeps during the day, it is better to get acquainted with it in the evening. In order for an African hedgehog to get used to a human voice, you need to talk to him quietly and affectionately for 20 minutes a day.

To accustom it to the owner's smell, any item of the owner is placed in the animal's cage. And in order to establish close contact, they try to feed the pet more often from the palm.

When the animal gets a little used to its owner, you can try to lift it by its abdomen. If the pet produces thorns, it is handled with a towel or blanket. The animal must not be picked up from above. In order for the pet to calmly accept tactile contact, the palm is extended towards it from the side of the head. Then the animal will see her and calm down.

Hygiene procedures

You can accustom your pet to bathing by simply placing it in a warm bath for a few minutes. Once every 1-2 months, the hedgehog is bathed in warm water with a temperature no higher than 34-35 degrees.

The procedure is used to cleanse the needles and skin of accumulated sebum dirt. If you have good communication with your pet, then bathing will be enjoyable for both of you.

Water is poured into the basin to the level of the lower edge of the needles so that the animal can touch the bottom of the basin with its paws.

First, wet the back of the hedgehog so that water does not get on the face and ears.

The needles are cleaned using a soft-bristled toothbrush, moving from the head to the end of the body. For washing, use a mild, fragrance-free baby shampoo, for example, “Eared Nanny” is perfect. It is not recommended to wash off the detergent under running water; it is better to place the hedgehog in your palm and water it from above.

It is better to do a hedgehog manicure at least once a month. After bathing, the pet is dried and the skin is moisturized with coconut, apricot or olive oil. It is applied pointwise to the back, withers and butt, just a couple of drops is enough. The oil helps restore the fat layer on the skin that was removed during bathing.

After washing is the best time to trim the nails. The stratum corneum swells and is easily removed.

“Give” the hedgehog something with your own scent

Hedgehogs rely on their sense of smell more than they do on sight and hearing, and therefore your scent, accompanying the hedgehog wherever he feels calm, will allow the pet to get used to you very quickly. Take one of your old clothes - a T-shirt, sweater or shirt, wear it for a while (at least a few days), and then put it in your hedgehog's cage or house. If his house is too small for this, choose an item that you were going to throw away, and after wearing it, cut a piece of a suitable size. The most important thing is that there are no threads sticking out of this thing, otherwise the hedgehog might eat them.

After a few days, the hedgehog will understand that you smell the same as his calm and safe sleep, and therefore will strive to be near you during the day.

If you don't have something suitable, just take a piece of fleece, wool or some old blanket or blanket and sleep with it for a few nights. The item will also become saturated with your scent.

Natural feeding

Proper vitamin nutrition for a hedgehog requires considerable effort from the owner; time will have to be spent compiling the diet and collecting its most important components. Hedgehogs are fed mainly the same foods that humans eat. In captivity, undemanding food habits benefit both the owner and the animal itself.

Basic diet

One feeding per day must consist of meat. This category includes both products from a butcher shop (chicken, lamb, veal, turkey) and live food from a pet market (adult food mice, frogs). It is best to offer food raw, cut into small pieces, but you should be sure of its quality. If you need to be on the safe side, you can boil the meat first.

Among vegetables, the animal prefers raw carrots (it can be given in pieces, but it is better to grate it). Apples and pears are allowed in small quantities. For variety, hedgehogs are offered soft food at home:

porridge cooked in water without adding spices. Rice, millet, buckwheat and pearl barley cereals are allowed;
cottage cheese (sometimes allowed in the amount of a teaspoon);
offal (liver, hearts, stomachs, lungs, but only in boiled form);
quail and chicken eggs, raw and boiled. Daily portion – no more than 30 grams;
boiled potatoes. The best option is to make small balls from mashed potatoes and crushed crackers. You can add a little fish or bone meal to the composition.

Fish will become a valuable food, even though hedgehogs do not usually eat it in nature. A high-quality, unsalted product is suitable for feeding. You should carefully consider the choice of variety; mackerel and horse mackerel are suitable for nutritional value and safety. But haddock, hake, pollock, carp, bream, ide, perch and crucian carp can cause health problems (vitaminosis, impaired absorption of nutritional components from food). Nothing bad will happen from a one-time treat, but prolonged feeding leads to exhaustion, muscle weakness and even death.

Vitamin nutrition is provided by greens: wheat germ, dandelion leaves, carrot tops, etc. An animal can eat such food unevenly - not touch it at all for several days, and then eat everything that is offered. It is allowed to use vitamin-mineral complexes from pet stores.

The basis of the diet of small hedgehogs at home remains unchanged; it is worth focusing on dairy products and increasing the frequency of feedings.

Insects and shellfish

Snails and slugs - in nature, hedgehogs readily eat them, but they should be avoided as home food. In the natural environment, shellfish are almost always infected with internal parasites, and after eating them, a hedgehog can also get sick. But it’s worth preparing beetles and worms:

mealworms (larva of the mealworm beetle, about 3 cm long). They can be purchased at the poultry market and bred at home yourself in a chest made of wooden boards. This is a treat for hedgehogs and should be given at least occasionally;
any insects and their larvae that are found in nature in large numbers. They must be collected with your own hands, placed in a glass jar. Kill living food by placing the jar in hot water. To store insects, dry them in the sun and place them in a dry, tightly closed container. This food should be fed to the hedgehog in powdered form, after mixing with soft food;
May beetles. They need to be prepared at the end of spring; these insects can be easily collected by spreading a sheet under a tree and shaking the branches. It is recommended to dry live food in the oven, after which it needs to be crushed and placed in a glass container for storage. In nature, during the season, an adult hedgehog can eat about 6 dozen cockchafers in one day.

Prohibited Products

meat with flavor;
domestic cockroaches;
legumes;
pork;
food with salt, pepper and other spices;
river fish (because of it, there is a lack of vitamins in the body, the normal development and growth of the animal is delayed);
boiled pasta;
soups;
sweets;
smoked meats;
sausages;
cookies;
chips;
fried foods.

If you offer something from the list to a pet hedgehog, he will eat it with pleasure, but such a treat will do more harm than good.

Feeding pets

Proper nutrition for a hedgehog is the key to its health. Therefore, you need to be especially careful about what to feed your pet at home, and the diet of a small and an adult animal is very different.

Small

If you have to feed a very tiny animal, a pipette will come to the rescue. Every 2-3 hours you need to give him boiled milk diluted with water (2:1). Baby formula is also good, and it should be freshly prepared and heated to 30-40 ° C. Immediately after eating, you need to massage his tummy from top to bottom to improve digestion.

At 3-4 weeks, you need to start adding milk porridge, lean meat minced through a meat grinder, and a hard-boiled egg to your diet. By the time the hedgehog’s weight reaches 250-300 g, dairy products are completely removed.

Adult

Speaking about what adult hedgehogs eat at home, it should be noted that the main component of their diet is animal fats. In the natural environment, they readily eat beetles, worms, caterpillars, snails, mice, lizards, and frogs. At home, these components can be replaced with purchased bloodworms or other purchased insects. Also, the menu must include lean meat and fish (both raw and boiled), because they fill the body with essential vitamins.

Liver is another product that hedgehogs enjoy eating at home. It needs to be boiled and cut into small pieces.

The animals like milk, but it can be given extremely rarely and only in the form of white bread soaked in it.

Important! Milk has a negative effect on hedgehogs because it is not absorbed by their bodies.

It is good to add a small amount of vegetables and fruits to your diet. Occasionally you can give freshly squeezed juice.

If your pet has a lack of vitamins, you can prepare a mixture of raw carrots and egg powder.

An adult hedgehog weighing 800-1000 g should be fed 50 g twice a day.

The kitchen is not for the faint of heart

It is worth noting that the menu for hedgehogs at home is a very bloodthirsty thing and not for squeamish people. His diet should consist of the following products (the list is in descending order):

Raw meat

These are chicken, veal, horse meat, lamb. It is strictly forbidden to give pork! Everything else can be given in the form of small pieces or ground into minced meat. This category also includes mice (adults and children), frogs, snails, and slugs. Some owners are afraid of infecting their pet with worms, so they always boil the meat. I wonder if they boil mice and frogs too? Still, it is preferable to give your hedgehog raw foods, but purchase them from trusted places.

Secret. Many sources strictly prohibit feeding domestic hedgehogs with flavored meat. It’s strange, but in nature these cuties are also scavengers. Dead chicks or small animals are gobbled up by both cheeks.

Insects

Larvae, pupae, worms, adult insects. Just in huge quantities! You will have to catch beetles, locusts, grasshoppers, moths, lacewings, beetles, and so on and so forth. Then you will have to kill all this goodness somehow.

Advice. Do not give domestic cockroaches to hedgehogs!

Experienced hedgehog breeders advise stuffing the insects into a glass jar, closing it with a screw cap and... baking it in the oven. After this, you need to thoroughly dry the cold insect corpses. They need to be stored in the same glass jar with a tight lid.

Important! Why all these tricks? So that during the meal the insects simply do not run away. Plus, in the fall, where will you get such a treat for your hedgehog? What if he doesn't go into hibernation? This is where such supplies come in handy.

Did you know that one adult hedgehog can easily eat up to 70 cockchafers per day? And besides that, he eats.

Vegetables

Basically it's just regular raw carrots. This is what hedgehogs prefer to other vegetables. According to the experience of the owners, prickly pets eat carrots better if they are rubbed. Sly people usually ignore large pieces. Vegetables can be replaced with a small amount of apple or pear. It is also advisable to chop them. By the way, what stops you from experimenting? Try giving your pet pieces of other vegetables or fruits. What if he turns out to have a great sweet tooth and will be happy to eat such a delicacy?

These three groups are the main component of the entire diet of hedgehogs at home. But the same type of diet can result in a lack of vitamins and microelements. Accordingly, this will negatively affect the health of the prickly grumbler.

Description of hedgehogs

The hedgehog family includes 2 subfamilies. These are real and gymnur or rat hedgehogs. Gymnurs have a body covered with hard hair, a long tail, and an elongated muzzle.

They look more like a big rat. Real hedgehogs look a little different:

body size 10-44 cm. Animals with a body length of up to 15-25 cm are kept at home. Weight from 200 g. Forest inhabitants can weigh up to 1.5 kg;
the back, sides and head are covered with a shell of needles. The muzzle, limbs and belly are distinguished by soft wool. Adult hedgehogs have up to 6 thousand spines on their bodies. Their length is 3 cm, the surface is smooth. The needles have gray and brown bands, which alternate with light stripes. Powerful muscles are attached to the shell, which allow animals to quickly gather into a ball or straighten their body;
the length of the tail is 1-3 cm. It is often hidden under the needles;
The animals have an elongated muzzle. In healthy individuals, the nose is always wet;
the teeth are sharp and small. The front incisors are especially developed;
Animals have 4 five-fingered limbs. The front ones are shorter than the rear ones. The fingers have long and sharp claws. Being in their natural environment, they constantly wear out. The claws of a domestic hedgehog are cut off;
hedgehogs are nocturnal inhabitants, so their organs of vision are poorly developed, but their organs of hearing and smell are well developed;
In summer, animals are very active. In late autumn they hibernate. At the same time, their pulse slows down to 20 beats per minute, and their breathing rate - 1 time per minute. They remain in this state until spring. They emerge from their burrows when the air temperature rises to 15 C. Some types of hedgehogs that are kept at home sleep only 2-3 days;
animals are predatory. They feed not only on insects, but also on small vertebrates, lizards, and frogs. They may eat chicks or bird eggs. They replenish the body’s vitamin reserves with berries and grass. Hedgehogs quickly adapt to new conditions and get used to new food.
Animals have poorly developed sweat and sebaceous glands. A domestic hedgehog does not emit any foreign odor. Does not cause allergies.

Representatives of hedgehogs are solitary. In nature, they occupy the burrows of other animals or hide under the roots of trees. They make a hole out of dry leaves, grass and soft moss.

They try to stay in their shelter all day long; at night they crawl out of their holes in search of food. Individuals determine their territory, in which they hunt, and jealously guard it.

Hedgehogs mature at 12 months. During the season, the female brings 1-2 litters. Pregnancy lasts 49 days. Each can have 2-5 cubs.

They are born blind with soft spines. The real shell is formed already on the 15th day.

The cubs feed on milk. From the age of one month they begin to emerge from the hole. The mother teaches them to get food.

Breeding

Breeding African pygmy hedgehogs is a very important step. Initially, carefully weigh the pros and cons. You should have enough free time to care for your pregnant hedgehog and babies.

How to determine gender

To determine the sex, hold the hedgehog in your arms so that its belly is visible. In females, the genitals are located next to the anus. In males, they are located at a distance of approximately 1 cm from the anus in babies and 2–2.5 cm in adults.

Mating

For mating to be successful, the hedgehogs must be in the same age category

Hedgehogs become sexually mature at 5.5–6 weeks. Animals should not have inbreeding until at least the 3rd generation, so babies must be separated by gender in advance. Weak and sick hedgehogs cannot be bred.

A young male cannot be mated with an adult female. Due to inexperience, he can cause aggression and be bitten as a result. Mating can be done at 5.5–6 weeks, not earlier.

A female can become pregnant before 5.5 weeks. This cannot be allowed. She may not bear offspring or refuse to feed the cubs. A female should not be allowed to mate for more than 11 weeks if she has never given birth. Fused pelvic bones can complicate childbirth and lead to the death of a hedgehog.

Mating takes 6–7 days. There is no point in keeping animals together any longer. If mating does not occur, place the hedgehogs for a week, and then connect them again.

Males can be bred every 2 weeks. Female - no more than 2 times a year. Otherwise, she will kill her hedgehogs.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy in hedgehogs lasts 34–36 days. In a couple of weeks, the female gains 10–50 g in weight. On the 25th day, it is already clear that the hedgehog is pregnant: she becomes rounder, and her behavior also changes. She begins to take care of herself, her gait slows down.

How to care for newborn hedgehogs

It is better to touch newborn hedgehogs only with a cloth.

In the first days of the babies' lives, the female behaves very nervously. She needs to be placed in a separate cage and ensure complete rest. Otherwise, she may refuse to feed the offspring or even kill them.

It is better not to touch small hedgehogs - the female may refuse them if she smells a person. But sometimes situations arise when holding a baby is simply necessary. In this case, wash your hands thoroughly with plain water, put on clean clothes and try to avoid any odors. When you pick up the baby, distract the female. The same must be done when you put it back.

For the first 2 weeks, hedgehogs eat only mother's milk, then she begins to bring them other food. By 2 months, hedgehogs are no longer completely dependent on their mother.

What to feed at home

Hedgehogs can be kept at home, and they can be fed the same things that people eat. Not all food will be beneficial for individuals, so it is recommended to abstain from some foods. Experts recommend purchasing special mixtures that can be found in pet stores. If you cannot find a similar product, then you can temporarily give food that is produced for small kittens.

If there is an unusual animal living at home, then you need to figure out what hedgehogs eat. They will need to be fed in a timely manner, choosing the right diet to avoid health problems.

What foods do hedgehogs eat:

Internal organs of a chicken.
Boiled poultry meat. Chicken and turkey will do.
Cucumber, carrot, pumpkin. You can give sweet peppers raw, but only in small portions.
It is useful for individuals to give apples, raspberries, and pears. Again, do not overfeed these foods.
Raw quail eggs, as well as chicken eggs. Hedgehogs normally eat them about once a week.
Live insects. They can be purchased in specialized stores or found on the street.

From this it becomes clear what hedgehogs eat at home. It is recommended to serve all products warm; room temperature is ideal.

It is important to ensure that they are fresh. Leftovers should always be removed so that the hedgehog does not eat spoiled food. There are also foods that hedgehogs eat, but it is better to abstain from them:

There are also foods that hedgehogs eat, but it is better to avoid them:

Citruses and any exotic fruits.
Garlic and onion. They should never be given, otherwise the condition of the hedgehog’s body will worsen.
Grape. The animal will not be able to spit out the bones, which is why it runs the risk of choking on them.
Dried fruits. They are poorly absorbed by the digestive system.
Fast food. Even people should refuse it.
Nuts and seeds. Eating them may upset your digestion.
Milk. Adult hedgehogs do not need it, but babies use it. From about 6 weeks, the cubs will switch to solid food and will have to give up milk.

It is important to remember that hedgehogs feed primarily on insects. For this reason, the diet should consist of protein products, since without them the body will not be able to fully function. It is necessary to ensure that there is constant access to water

You should also remember that hedgehogs are wild creatures that have their own habits. It’s not always possible to get along with them, so you should think carefully before getting such a pet.

It is necessary to ensure that there is constant access to water. You should also remember that hedgehogs are wild creatures that have their own habits. It is not always possible to get along with them, so you should think carefully before getting such a pet.

Hedgehogs are true predators, so they prefer to eat protein foods. In the wild, they search for insects, as well as lizards and frogs. They can eat any food at home, but they should not be given dangerous foods that can worsen digestion.

The owner must take a responsible approach to nutrition, since the animal’s well-being depends on it. It is recommended to create a menu in consultation with your veterinarian and then stick to it. The main thing is to ensure that the food is always fresh, and then the digestive system will work perfectly.

What to feed a hedgehog at home

Premium or super-premium dry cat food can be used as the main food for hedgehogs. Carefully study the composition - meat and vegetables must be in the first positions, but starch-containing products (such as potatoes and corn, for example) should not be at all. There is no food that is completely suitable for hedgehogs and can satisfy all their needs, so dry food must be supplemented with meat, insects, and vegetables.

So, answering the question “what to feed a hedgehog at home,” we can say that you need to use either dry food with additives or natural food. Let's take a closer look at the products needed by hedgehogs.

Store-bought feed

Preparing live food and calculating the diet takes a lot of time and effort, which is why many hedgehog owners prefer store-bought formulations. They are sold in several varieties of composition and form:

Spike's Dinner dry food. UK made range. The composition includes poultry meat, feed wheat, rice, brewer's yeast, whole corn, flax seeds, chicken fat. The food is available in packs of 650 grams, the recommended amount for wild hedgehogs is 20 grams per day;
T-RexFood pate. Wet food suitable for pet hedgehogs. Consists of chicken necks, house crickets (30%), carrots, apples, pumpkin and seaweed extract;
complete dry food Menu, made in Germany. Contains grains, meat and by-products, shellfish, crustaceans, nuts, fruits, mealworms and vegetables. Can be used as the basis of the diet of forest and pygmy hedgehogs.

To keep a hedgehog at home, some people use cat food, as it is easier to find in the store. This type of nutrition cannot be called optimal, but it is acceptable. The main thing is to purchase super-premium holistic food; it should not contain soy, wheat or other starch-replacing products, dyes, etc.

Do cartoons lie?

Who is not familiar with the misconception that hedgehogs love mushrooms and apples? They say they carry them on thorns to their burrow, making supplies for the winter. Lies. In winter they need reserves only in the form of their own fat. And apples are only for getting rid of parasites. The sour juice of rotten fruits perfectly cleans the needles of uninvited guests. But that's not what we're talking about now.

All the cuteness of hedgehogs is greatly exaggerated. These are cruel and voracious predators. In nature, they feed on mice, snakes, snails, chicks, frogs, and insects. As you can see, the menu is very varied. Sometimes hedgehogs can feast on fruit carrion, but this is more likely out of desperation. Animals do not eat mushrooms, milk, bread, sausage, or cheese in nature. You should not give them at home either. Moreover, a hedgehog can die from milk. And you definitely shouldn’t give them human dishes.

This is interesting. In order for a hedgehog to live at home for 10 years or more, you will have to create a separate menu for it. It should be varied, nutritious and modest in size. An adult animal requires no more than 250 g of total feed per day.

How can you tell if you're feeding your hedgehog correctly? By weight. An adult hedgehog should weigh at least 800 g in October. A little less in spring and summer. And in winter they don’t weigh it, because the hedgehog sleeps at that time.

From the life of hedgehogs

Hedgehogs, as a rule, are found in not too dense forests, in copses, in shelterbelts, in ravines overgrown with bushes, etc. They can be found both in Europe and in Asia Minor. Sometimes you can find these prickly creatures in New Zealand. Scientists claim that not so long ago they generally inhabited North America. In Russia you can find 4 types of hedgehogs: common, dark-spined, Daurian and long-eared. The most common species is, of course, the common hedgehog.

Zoologists classify hedgehogs as insectivores, since their main food is various small ones. Moreover, without any exaggeration, hedgehogs can be called real orderlies of forests and vegetable gardens! The fact is that they eat a huge amount of certain insects and mollusks (slugs, snails) that are harmful to gardens and forests. By the way, the destruction of forest nests with broods of rodents that harm forestry and, of course, agriculture can also be credited in favor of these animals.

The life of hedgehogs completely depends on certain climatic and natural conditions: they avoid damp places, and on rainy days they generally prefer to sit in their “houses”. For housing, these creatures use ground nests, which they build from forest vegetation, or use burrows once abandoned by rodents. A hedgehog is one of the few wild living creatures that can allow a person to come within a fairly close distance. And this is not because hedgehogs are brave creatures. The fact is that these prickly pranksters have mediocre eyesight and rely on their sense of smell, which often fails them: if the wind blows in the direction opposite from the hedgehog, then they do not sense a person approaching him at all.

Hedgehogs never run away from danger. They have a completely different method of defense: when they sense something wrong, they immediately curl up into a prickly ball, exposing their sharp needles. It is curious that the hedgehogs would not have been able to escape by running: their legs are too short, and they themselves are clumsy creatures. But they deserve credit in another field: hedgehogs hunt insects and snakes very cleverly. The situation is worse with rodents: resourceful wood mice and voles are smart creatures that don’t just come easy. You still have to try to catch them! By the way, hedgehogs are nocturnal inhabitants; during the day, these prickly creatures mainly sleep like babies.

Hedgehogs are one of the most interesting animals, they are so cute and funny! But what do hedgehogs eat? You will find a detailed answer to the question in the article.

Probably, each of us in childhood wanted to have a hedgehog at home, but then it was considered a curiosity. Now in many pet stores you can easily purchase special food for this “pet” animal. It turns out that hedgehogs easily adapt to life among people, and therefore they can be kept right at home. But before you decide to take such a step, you need to learn as much as possible about this type of animal - what hedgehogs eat, how they live, what they love.

Where live

The habitat is wide, because hedgehogs are found in many European countries. They also live in Russia, and they can also be seen in hot Africa, New Zealand, the East and Asia.

Hedgehogs prefer to settle in steppes, deserts, cultivated landscapes, and forests. It is noteworthy that they can be found even in cities.

Hedgehogs have elongated middle fingers, which make it easy to clean their needles. The spines are hollow, and sparse hairs grow between them, which are almost invisible. The belly and head are covered with hair. On average, a hedgehog has approximately 10 thousand needles, which are updated regularly.

What do they eat in nature?

Hedgehogs can live not only in forests, but also in steppe and desert areas. Their diet varies depending on their specific habitat. Hedgehogs can often be found in home lands, garden plots and country houses.

It’s worth noting right away that hedgehogs are real predators, even despite their seemingly harmless and cute appearance. They feed not only on vegetation (although mainly on it, since it is not always easy for them to catch the same lizard). We can safely say that they are omnivores. Hedgehogs do not disdain to feast on beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, woodlice, snails and worms; they often catch snakes, mice, and sometimes rats. This is why hedgehogs are so useful in summer cottages.

If hedgehogs find a ground nest of birds, then most likely they will also destroy it in order to eat the eggs and chicks. Hedgehogs actually eat wild berries and fruits because they are easy to get. Many experts call hedgehogs forest orderlies, since they often eat the corpses of animals and birds, clearing the area of carrion. Before hibernation, animals must accumulate enough fat to survive the cold, and therefore they simply need to look for any food during the waking period.

What do hedgehogs eat in the wild?

The favorite diet of hedgehogs is food of animal origin; hedgehogs do not disdain carrion. In the first place are all kinds of insects: caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, numerous beetles, earwigs. Interestingly, hedgehogs eat poisonous blister beetles with pleasure without harm to health, just like other animals whose poison is fatal to most mammals, for example, vipers.

A significant portion of the diet consists of slugs, snails, caterpillars, woodlice; sometimes hedgehogs hunt for earthworms and eat frogs and lizards. Mouse-like rodents are caught while running, reaching speeds of up to 3 m/s. A special delicacy for hedgehogs is the chicks and eggs of birds nesting on the ground. With such a passion for protein foods, hedgehogs introduced to the Hebrides became a real threat to the population of lapwings, snipes and dunlins.

But the benefits of hedgehogs are also invaluable: the prickly animals destroy cockchafers, silkworm caterpillars, gypsy moths and other agricultural pests. Knowing this, experienced gardeners will never drive hedgehogs away from their plots.

Plant foods, although to a lesser extent, are present in the diet of every hedgehog. These are mushrooms, acorns, mosses, cereal and sunflower seeds. When the berries ripen, hedgehogs eat raspberries, strawberries and mulberries. In the fall, they pick fruits from the gardens - apples and pears, but do not carry them anywhere on their thorns, but eat them on the spot.

Hedgehogs do not store supplies for the winter at all; they hibernate, similar to a state of suspended animation, and during this time they lose about 35% of their mass

That’s why it’s so important for them to gain at least 500 g of weight over the summer, otherwise the hedgehog won’t wake up in the spring

In nature, hedgehogs rarely live up to 5 years; in captivity they can live up to 10 years, but with proper care and feeding.

What to feed little hedgehogs at home

It is very difficult to feed small hedgehogs on your own. If you find a hedgehog nest in the forest, you should not take the cubs from it; without a mother, they will most likely die. But if the nest is destroyed and the hedgehog dies, you can try to save the cubs. So, what to feed little hedgehogs at home?

To feed babies, you need to purchase formula for feeding newborn kittens or puppies. The temperature in the nest should be maintained at 35'C. Before and after each feeding, massage is necessary to stimulate bowel movements.

Blind hedgehogs (up to two weeks old) are fed every 2-3 hours, 2-3 ml of the mixture. If the eyes have recently opened (age from two to four weeks), the break will be 3-4 hours, and the amount of the mixture will increase to 5-6 ml. Hedgehogs that are one month old have already developed teeth. At this point, they can begin offering solid foods, such as kitten food or a boiled egg.

The hedgehogs are at home. We are building a “nest”.

You have decided to take the hedgehogs into your home; to do this, you will first need to build some kind of house in which the hedgehogs will live, and which will retain heat.

A small box will do just fine for the first time. To keep it warm and keep baby hedgehogs from freezing, you should put a bottle of hot water there, pre-wrapped in thick fabric, to avoid burns on the hedgehogs. As it cools, change the bottle so that it is not cold in the “nest”. In addition to the bottle wrapped in cloth, you also need a warm bedding for the hedgehogs, and a separate thick fabric that will cover the hedgehogs and keep them warm in the box.

The litter needs to be changed as it gets dirty. The box should always be warm, clean and dry.

Hedgehog bathing

Bold
Salty
Milk
Chocolate and other sweets
Sour foods
A pineapple
Raisin

Your pet should always have fresh water in his drinking bowl. If you notice that the animal has begun to drink little or refuses fluids completely, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Taking care of the cleanliness and hygiene of a hedgehog is a very important aspect in keeping a prickly animal. Wet hedgehogs look very touching. Therefore, bathing will not only bring a lot of pleasure to your pet, but will also make you happy.

We suggest you read: What to feed mulard ducklings: my experience

First of all, wet the hedgehog's spines. This can be done either under running water or in a basin. Then apply a small amount of special shampoo. Using a toothbrush, evenly distribute the foam over the needles from head to tail.

Be careful! Do not allow foam to get into your pet's eyes and ears.

Now turn the hedgehog over and rinse the pink belly. Rinse off the foam and apply moisturizing oil. Never dry your hedgehog with a hairdryer. This is serious stress for the animal. Wrap it in a towel and wait until the hedgehog is completely dry. As a rule, this process takes about 2 hours.

As you can see, caring for hedgehogs does not require serious preparation. The main thing is to follow simple rules and adhere to the basics of a healthy diet, then the prickly pet will delight you with its company for a long time.

If you have an idea to feed a hedgehog that is wandering around your summer cottage, you should read in advance the stop list of foods that are contraindicated for this animal. This list will also be useful for those who keep such animals as pets.

Almost all people first run to the refrigerator for milk to treat the animal, but it is believed that it is this that hedgehogs have the hardest time digesting. Many veterinarians even consider milk to be poisonous for such animals.

In addition, the following products are prohibited.

Any candy, chocolate and other sweets. It is believed that they can lead to diseases such as diabetes.
Any products with dyes, thickeners and preservatives.
Grapes, raisins and all kinds of dried fruits, especially those with seeds, are also not recommended for hedgehogs, as they can get stuck in the animals’ throats.
Avocados, pineapples and other exotic fruits can also be dangerous for hedgehogs; animals can be poisoned by them, because it is unlikely that a hedgehog will be able to find an avocado or sweet lychee in the forest. If there is no reliable information about whether a particular exotic fruit can be given to an animal, it is best not to risk it.
Vegetable oils, any fast food, buns with meat, chips, crackers with additives, dry food for dogs or cats, onions, garlic are specially prohibited.

If pet hedgehogs roam freely around the apartment or house, then you should be very careful about the dishes from which they eat. It shouldn't be plastic. Many animals easily chew through it, which can subsequently lead to poisoning and even death. Such animals often chew through wires, which can also lead to the death of pets.

Protection of common hedgehogs

Photo: Common hedgehog from the Red Book

It would seem that the hedgehog is found everywhere and is very widespread, many have seen it on city and rural streets, in gardens, parks and in private plots, but this does not happen everywhere, in some areas its numbers have become insignificant, so meeting a prickly one is very rare . As sad as it is to realize, the culprit is thoughtless and, at times, barbaric human activity, aimed only at pleasing people and not taking into account the needs of many animals, including ordinary hedgehogs.

On the territory of Russia, the hedgehog is listed in the Red Books of Tomsk and Lipetsk. Sverdlovsk, Tyumen regions and Moscow region. In the book of the Tyumen region, it belongs to the third category and is considered a rare species. In all other listed objects, the common hedgehog is classified in the second category and is considered a rare species with an ever-decreasing number. As for the Sverdlovsk region, here the hedgehog is taken under protection on the territory of the Visimsky Biosphere Reserve and the Pripyshminskiye Bors National Park.

In all of these areas, where the number of hedgehogs is very low, it is strongly recommended to include permanent hedgehog habitats in protected areas, and it is necessary to control the number of stray dogs that destroy hedgehogs. It is impossible to improve the natural landscapes where prickly creatures live, this leads to the fact that they cannot find natural shelters for living. In general, it is worth being more careful and attentive to natural resources and appreciating the surrounding flora and fauna, and keeping all ill-wishers and opponents of this at bay.

In the end, I would like to add that an ordinary hedgehog is of great benefit to humans. Firstly, it destroys a huge number of harmful insects, and, secondly, when you look at this pretty prickly creature with a pretty face, your mood is incredibly lifted. Thirdly, you can experience a lot of positive emotions by reading a fairy tale or watching a cartoon where the main character is a hedgehog, because he always plays a positive and positive role, which is why he has been loved by many since childhood.

Basic colors

For home keeping, select healthy hedgehogs that have been examined by a veterinarian. The color of the shell matters. Breeders bred dwarf animals of colored color. It may differ from the shade of the needles of the individuals that are the progenitors:

White-bellied - white fur. The color of the needles is gray with light rings. The ears are small;
Algerian - cream and light beige needles. The auricle is large;
Salt and pepper – black mask. The nose and eyes are dark. The fur on the forehead, over the eyes and on the belly is white. The carapace is black with white spots;
Gray – the mask is light brown, covers the cheeks, but does not go into the eyes. The rest of the fur is white. The needles are dark gray with white ends;
Chocolate – dark eyes and nose, light brown mask. The skin has a pinkish tint. Color dark brown with white;
Brown is the color of oak bark. The ends of the needles are light. The fur is white, the mask is beige;
Cinnamon - all needles are colored light brown. The skin is pink. The mask does not appear;
Tsinakot - 50% of the shell is colored light brown and 50% white. Colored and light-colored needles are arranged randomly. The skin is beige, the eyes and nose are dark. There is no mask;
Shampoo – light beige color, red eyes, dark nose;
Pinto - the shell on the head and neck is light brown. The spines on the back and sides are white.

African hedgehogs kept at home can have a combination of colors. Pinto is combined with another color, tsinacott, chocolate. There are albino hedgehogs or white ones with a dark mask.

Of the light colors, the most popular are Snowflake and White. Breeders are experimenting with the shade of the shell. White animals with black yokes on the crown of the head or black animals with a white forelock appear.

Price

You can buy a prickly animal at a pet store or nursery. The price of a hedgehog depends on a number of factors, including the type of animal, age, and color. The most affordable common hedgehogs start from 3,000 rubles. Exotic African hedgehogs can cost 12-15 thousand rubles.

When purchasing, it is important to purchase a healthy pet with clear eyes, without sagging skin, spots, or bumps on the skin. The baby's nose should be dry, without crusts. A sign of a sick hedgehog is “staggering syndrome” when walking.

Individuals with a characteristic gait usually have several diseases. The tummy of a healthy pet is evenly covered with fur, without bald spots or tangles. The acquisition of a prickly friend will definitely bring bright colors to the usual home life of any person.

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