Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a list of frequently asked questions.
I hope this helps with your decision on whether or not a hedgehog is the right pet for you.
For all care questions please go to my care page.
I hope this helps with your decision on whether or not a hedgehog is the right pet for you.
For all care questions please go to my care page.
*How long do hedgehogs live?
*How do I get my name on the waiting list?
*Are hedgehogs good pets for children?
*Do hedgehogs get along well with other pets?
*Do hedgehogs need another hedgehog for company?
*Do male or female hedgehogs make better pets?
*How large are hedgehogs?
*What color is my hedgehog?
*How do I get my name on the waiting list?
*Are hedgehogs good pets for children?
*Do hedgehogs get along well with other pets?
*Do hedgehogs need another hedgehog for company?
*Do male or female hedgehogs make better pets?
*How large are hedgehogs?
*What color is my hedgehog?
How long do hedgehogs live?
Huey at 5 years old
Though quite small, hedgehogs are not rodents, and usually live about twice as long as the average pet rodent. Hedgehogs commonly live 3 to 6 years old in captivity with a few individuals living less or longer. Huey my first hedgehog lived to be 5 and 1/2 years old. The most common cause of death in hedgehogs is cancer.
How do I get my name on the waiting list?
For more information on the waiting list, health guarantees, and other policies check out my "Policies/Waiting List" page.
Please remember the waiting list is always fluctuating. Sometimes names move up or down the list because list members decide to wait for a certain color or gender, or their personal lives cause them to wait or even withdraw their name. In addition new people are joining the list regularly. Also litter size and success rate can vary. There are so many variables that it makes it hard to estimate wait time. I try to give new waiting list members an estimated wait time, but remember this is only an estimate. Thank you for your patience.
Please remember the waiting list is always fluctuating. Sometimes names move up or down the list because list members decide to wait for a certain color or gender, or their personal lives cause them to wait or even withdraw their name. In addition new people are joining the list regularly. Also litter size and success rate can vary. There are so many variables that it makes it hard to estimate wait time. I try to give new waiting list members an estimated wait time, but remember this is only an estimate. Thank you for your patience.
Are hedgehogs good pets for children?
10 year old Hannah with Sonic
Hedgehogs are shy by nature. Even the boldest hedgehog will ball up at times, or have shy, grumpy days. Some hedgehogs find the constant noise and quick motions of many young children frightening.
As a rule hedgehogs do not make good pets for small children under the age of 7. Younger children are often intimidated by hedgehog quills, and small children seem to be more sensitive to quills than older children and adults. On the other hand older, quiet, patient children often do very well with hedgehogs. As a rule I do not recommend hedgehogs for children under the age of 10, but there are always exceptions. I do not recommend hedgehogs for preschool age or younger children.
As a rule hedgehogs do not make good pets for small children under the age of 7. Younger children are often intimidated by hedgehog quills, and small children seem to be more sensitive to quills than older children and adults. On the other hand older, quiet, patient children often do very well with hedgehogs. As a rule I do not recommend hedgehogs for children under the age of 10, but there are always exceptions. I do not recommend hedgehogs for preschool age or younger children.
Do hedgehogs get along well with other pets?
Hedgehogs are quite solitary, so they do not need the company of another pet, but often tolerate other animals.
- Cats are usually fascinated by hedgehogs, but quickly learn about hedgehog quills. Most cats will then continue to watch hedgies, but do not like having sharp quills on their soft paws and noses.
- Most dogs are also fascinated by hedgehogs, but again respect their sharp quills. Be careful with tenacious breeds such as terriers that were bred to kill vermin, and large strong jawed breeds that may snap and kill a hedgie before discovering their sharp quills. Most pet owners have a good idea of how their pet will react to a hedgehog.
Do hedgehogs need other hedgehogs for companionship?
Hedgehogs are actually quite solitary in nature and rarely seek out other hedgehogs for company. In captivity many breeders house multiple females together without issues. Females seem to tolerate one another, but they don't seek out other hedgehogs for company. Each female seems to go about her business, and might interact with other females in the cage, but they do not actually "play" with one another.
It is NOT recommended to house multiple mature males together. Occasionally I have heard of people that have housed males together successfully, but more often then not I have heard the horror stories of mature males fighting, injuring one another, or worse.
Of course MALES AND FEMALES SHOULD NEVER BE HOUSED TOGETHER except for breeding purposes. Please remember hedgehogs can breed at a very early age, even as young as 8 weeks old, and males will kill their own offspring. Also remember that females should not be bred before 5 months old since they themselves are still growing. Never put them together even for playtime, since a breeding can happen incredibly quickly.
Hedgehogs are solitary creatures by nature, and happy to live on their own. If you plan to house multiple hedgehogs together get females, and introduce them at a young age. Even when raised together, most male hedgehogs will start to bicker and fight as they mature.
It is NOT recommended to house multiple mature males together. Occasionally I have heard of people that have housed males together successfully, but more often then not I have heard the horror stories of mature males fighting, injuring one another, or worse.
Of course MALES AND FEMALES SHOULD NEVER BE HOUSED TOGETHER except for breeding purposes. Please remember hedgehogs can breed at a very early age, even as young as 8 weeks old, and males will kill their own offspring. Also remember that females should not be bred before 5 months old since they themselves are still growing. Never put them together even for playtime, since a breeding can happen incredibly quickly.
Hedgehogs are solitary creatures by nature, and happy to live on their own. If you plan to house multiple hedgehogs together get females, and introduce them at a young age. Even when raised together, most male hedgehogs will start to bicker and fight as they mature.
Do male or female hedgehogs make better pets?
Both males and females make equally great pets.
- Temperament and pet quality is individual rather than gender linked.
- Neither sex has any behaviors or odors that differentiate them. They do not mark or make noise. Cleanliness is individual rather than gender linked.
- Female hedgehogs will usually tolerate other females in their habitat, but males rarely tolerate another hedgehog.
How large are hedgehogs?
Poppy Seed the hedgehog on the left with her rabbit friend.
African pygmy hedgehogs are about the size of softballs.
They are slightly smaller than guinea pigs, and larger than hamsters. The average adult hedgehog in good weight can range between 3/4 of a pound to 1 and 1/2 pounds. Of course some hedgehogs are a bit smaller or larger. I have included a picture of an adult hedgehog with her adult rabbit friend to give an idea of size. The hedgehog is the smaller, brown, spotted critter on the left. Thank you Danielle for the picture of Poppy Seed and her rabbit buddy.
They are slightly smaller than guinea pigs, and larger than hamsters. The average adult hedgehog in good weight can range between 3/4 of a pound to 1 and 1/2 pounds. Of course some hedgehogs are a bit smaller or larger. I have included a picture of an adult hedgehog with her adult rabbit friend to give an idea of size. The hedgehog is the smaller, brown, spotted critter on the left. Thank you Danielle for the picture of Poppy Seed and her rabbit buddy.
What color is my hedgehog?
Hedgehogs come in a wide variety of colors. In fact Hedgehog Central lists 91 different colors! Hedgehogs also come in different color variations and varieties. There are standard, snowflake, white, albino, and pinto colors as well as algerian and white-bellied masks. I will refer you to Hedgehog Central's extensive color chart for further assistance.