The popular African dwarf hedgehog, which is mainly kept as a pet in North America, is a mixture of two species. Hedgehogs are believed to be native to Africa. However, it took many years for them to finally be domesticated. When properly housed and fed, these animals are incredible pets, which is the reason for the increase in their popularity. For this reason, we can not recommend keeping African dwarves as pets: a hedgehog that is properly cared for can live up to the age of five. Hedgehogs are thought to live even more than eight years. Classified as critical by the British Mammal Red List, a new petition is now calling for the protection of hedgehogs to raise the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to Schedule Five. If successful, this would prevent them from being sold by the public. Secondly, people miss their pet hedgehogs. They are nocturnal, like to move a lot and need a bike to walk. They also tend to lubricate the wheel and themselves in feces as they run, and in the end, which need to be cleaned daily. Hedgehogs are docile and nocturnal, which makes them impractical for light sleepers, people who are outside until the wee hours of the morning, or children who hope for a playful companion.
When hedgehogs feel threatened, they roll into a tight ball and can easily be injured if a human – or a dog or cat – tries to provoke them. The natural habitat of the African wild dwarf is the dry, grassy plains of West, Central and East Africa. African dwarf bloodsuckers travel long distances in the wild. They need space to move, unfortunately they are often kept in small cages, which are not suitable for this very active species. If you are looking for information about the care of the European cousin of the African dwarf hedgehog, read our tips on how to keep garden hedgehogs safe and happy. Annual visits to the veterinarian are very useful to ensure a healthy hedgehog. Owners of hedgehogs should be aware of the fact that hedgehogs are prone to the heart and cancer. A regular visit to the veterinarian would help identify signs of the possible health condition that can be treated before it gets worse.
It is illegal to own a hedgehog as a pet in some jurisdictions in North America, and a license is required to raise it legally. These restrictions may have been imposed due to the ability of some species of hedgehogs to transmit foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious disease of curved animals. In most European countries, there are no such restrictions (although Italy is an exception). [Citation needed] No, our hedgehogs in the UK are definitely not good pets. Hedgehogs are wild animals and have their place exactly there, in the wilderness. Matthew adds: „The government`s response to the petition is that they have not previously moved the hedgehogs to Appendix Five because they have no evidence that the hedgehogs are deliberately killed. I`m sure we`re all grateful for that and I hope people wouldn`t do something so cruel. Unfortunately, it is currently legal to own an African dwarf hedgehog as a pet. However, according to the Animal Welfare Act, owners must be able to meet all of the animal welfare needs of the animal. This means giving the animal every opportunity to show normal behavior such as looking for live insects. African dwarfs are solitary wild animals that are nocturnal – that is, active at night. They have complex needs that can only be met in their natural environment, so they do not make suitable pets.
Hedgehogs are susceptible to many diseases, including cancer, which spreads rapidly in hedgehogs, and wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS), a neurological syndrome. Some symptoms of WHS are similar to those of multiple sclerosis (MS) in humans, so the condition of the animal can be compared to what MS patients experience. A possible cause of WHS is a genetic defect that allows a virus to attack the hedgehog`s nervous system. [Citation needed] The nose can show various symptoms of a hedgehog plagued, especially respiratory diseases such as pneumonia. In many cases, the form of pneumonia that affects hedgehogs is bacterial in nature. If they act quickly, antibiotics can have a very positive effect. Some of the signs you should pay attention to include blisters, excessive drops, or constant sneezing. [Citation needed] Hedgehog spines were used for cardboard paper and dissecting pens long after the Romans actively bred and bred hedgehogs.
Reports have revealed that people pinch hedgehogs in gardens It is currently illegal to own a hedgehog in California; Georgia; Hawaii; New York City; Omaha( Nebraska); and Washington, D.C. Other states and cities may have specific restrictions or require a permit to keep one. It is also illegal to transport hedgehogs from Africa. But the main reason why this trend should not be encouraged is that we already have hedgehogs that need help. The British hedgehog population has declined by 37% over the past 10 years – a rate of decline faster than that of tigers in the wild. Right now, we can still have the thrill of having an encounter with the European hedgehog – a species that allows us to get much closer to it than any other wild animal. Hedgehogs can easily become obese; If they can no longer roll completely towards a ball, this is a clear sign of obesity. Conversely, hedgehogs often stop eating in stressful situations, such as when they get used to a new home. The most common type of hedgehogs purchased as „pets” are hybrids, commonly known as African dwarves. But these animals are only a few generations away from their naturally living cousins. Calling them „domesticated” really expands the truth. And many hedgehogs die or are abandoned by the people who bought them when the novelty fades.
Frequent manipulation is necessary to be able to tame a hedgehog. Most of them, of course, do not like manipulation; However, you can learn to tolerate it. Wild hedgehogs tend to curl up into a spiny ball, making it difficult for you to pick them up. Fortunately, hedgehogs roll in a few minutes. Once they realize you don`t want to do any harm, they`ll start exploring more. Here are some other tips for dealing with a hedgehog: When people succumb to the temptation to buy exotic animals like hedgehogs in shops, auctions or on the internet to keep them at home, it often leads to pain and death for these animals. Hedgehogs can easily suffer from malnutrition and the overwhelming stress of imprisonment in an unnatural and unpleasant environment. Since a hedgehog is usually kept in a cage or similar pen, it is allowed in some residences where cats and dogs are not allowed. The European hedgehog is a protected species in all countries that are signatories to the Berne Convention; This includes all Council of Europe member states, as well as the European Union and a small number of other states.
In these countries, the European hedgehog can not be captured or kept as a pet. British MPs are fighting for hedgehogs to have greater legal protection after shocking reports revealed that wild animals are trapped in private gardens and sold online as pets. Some hedgehog keepers welcome injured or sick hedgehogs, but with the intention of bringing them back into the wild. If this is not possible due to the severity of the case, they will be taken care of permanently during their few years. Hedgehogs, which are unique creatures, also have their own interesting habit known as „auto-anointing.” Some smells will make a hedgehog salivate and spread saliva on its back; This might come as a surprise if you see it for the first time. However, this is not a cause for concern. Some hedgehogs are more likely to do this than others. The reason for this habit is still unknown. „The numbers we`ve also heard are really shocking,” said Duncan Baker, Conservative MP for North Norfolk. „None of us could help but be extremely concerned that we might be our last million hedgehogs.” Since the beginning of domestication, several new colors of hedgehogs have been created or have become common, including albino and pinto hedgehogs.