Hedgehogs? What are they like?

[Julie]

My daughter has a hedgehog... Her boyfriend has a hedgehog..
Now they have babies! 3 or 4 I think.

I am thinking about taking a baby when they are ready... But I am not sure I really want one... Lol

Please tell me anything good or bad about hedgehogs! Talk about care..
temperament... etc.

My daughter keeps this hedgehog at her dad's because that is where she lives most of the time... So I have only handled her a few times. And my daughter acts like the thing is like a kitten.. but I have a hard time believing that.

Any hands on info would be great....
Thanks

*going to search the internet for info*

 

[Maxy24]

I don't know much about them but I really like them. I'm pretty sure they are very handleable and friendly once they get used to you. Sorry i don't know much but I'd be interested to see what you find out, oh and picture's are mandatory

 

[Saje]

I've had two and think they are really neat pets. Mine were adopted as adults and weren't socialized with people as babies. It took a long time for them to warm up but you won't have that problem if you get a young one. They are pretty neat animals. Carnivores. A lot of people just feed them cat food but I got a book and prepared my own food for them. Hamburger mixes and stuff. Not hard. They potty in one spot in their cage and are pretty clean. I didn't really love our set up. We had them in a giant, old fish tank. I think they would have been happier in something else. I've read that some of them follow their owners around and stuff but mine didn't.

 

[juliefurry]

I cleaned up after two when I used to work at a petstore and they were like Saje's and not socialized with people.

They would hiss and make wierd noises at me and roll up into a ball with their little spikes poking out. We fed them a special hedgehog kibble.

If you got them as babies though and handled them I think they would be ok I'm not sure as the adult ones scared me when they kept getting grumpy with me.

 

[Saje]

Even though mine were anti social I'd pick them up and lay them on my belly when I was on the touch. It would take a few minutes but soon they would unroll and gain confidence and then run all over me lol They were pretty cute

 

[Julie]

My daughter does handle hers alot... She has this cute little soft carrier.. and the hedgehog has visited a couple times. It seemed nice enough..except when my son gave it a small ball and it got really defensive and was literally trying to attack it. I guess it was unfamilar and I hear their eyesight is poor.. She really went wacko about that ball. We took it away and she was fine again...

I don't know, if I really want another small animal.... I do have that hamster from hell...the first hamster I have ever had that I can't even touch... He is much happier being left alone and it drives me crazy...you should see me cleaning his cage. :yikes: My boys think it is quite funny that I am afraid of him....a 7 oz hamster, but they can't touch him either.. And his name is "sweety" UGH.

 

[Saje]

I would not get a hedgehog if you have a hamster. Or if you do keep them separate. Remember that hedgehogs are CARNIVORES. I didn't even think about it and ended up having hedgehogs, pet mice and a hamster at the same time. I put the hedgehog's cage near the hamster's and have never, ever heard a hamster make that kind of noise. She was terrified. I moved the hedgehog far, far away and she was ok then. But during play time in her ball she would go nowhere near where the hog was.

 

[Julie]

Well if I get one they will definately be kept far apart.

I think they are really cute, but I am undecided... I will just have to wait awhile to see how the babies temperaments are. I am sure they will be very used to handling though..

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Had no idea hedgehogs were kept as pets. Call me clueless. Keep us posted, Julie. They sound like fun.

ETA: They are illegal in Ca, which is probably why I've never heard of them kept as pets, but they sure are cute! You should get one, Julie!

 

[Julie]

They are illegal in several other states too. But they are legal here.

They are really cute.... but I just don't know if it would be a pet that I would really enjoy... We will see.

 

[Whisper]

I have to join Nicole in this. I have never heard of people keeping them as pets. Maybe they're illegal here. How do you know if it's illegal in your state?
Of course I've seen pics and I think they're the cutest things.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I did a google search, Virgina. Google knows all.

 

[Whisper]

LOL, I don't know why I didn't think of that. I use Google constantly.
Yep, it's illegal here too.

 

[~Jessie~]

A great hedgehog forum is:

www.chins-n-quills.com