Newish Irish African Pygmy hedgehog site

cobweb

Hi all,

hope this is ok to post here mods apologies if not.

But anyways dont know if any of ye have African pygmy hedgehogs or are interested in getting hedgehogs as pets.

I got one recently and she is brilliant but I have been researching them for a while and came across some very good American sites but I felt a bit frustrated at the lack of Irish hedgehog specific sites so I set one up that I hope will attract new and veteren hedgehog owners and we can exchange information and help the area of African pygmy hedgehog keeping in Ireland to grow and improve, encouraging good practise.

The site like myself is resonably new to the area and will improve as time goes on and as my experience improves, I am updating and editing it on a daily basis. So I hope if you are interested in hedgehogs you will come along and join the forum attached to the site and join the weekly chats and perhaps if you own hedgehogs pass on your expereince to those new to the field. And even if you are new to the area perhaps you could provide questions or viewpoints which will give us a different way of looking at things and help improve good practise

Thanks for reading enjoy!

So here are the links
www.freewebs.com/enchantinghogs

and the forum
www.enchantinghedgehogs.forumandco.com

Rb

What are these like as pets?

cobweb

I find Ruby grand. She is my first hedgehog and I was worried about it but since she is nocturnal she sleeps most of the day while I am out and wakes up when its dark so I socialise with her then. I knew she was small but I wasn't prepared for how small a mere handful and so light with it whereas my wesite was a handful when we got him but he had weight and substance, my hedgie felt like a whiff of air would carry her away!

I change her water a few times a day and feed her at night. At the moment I freefeed her as she doesnt gorge on her food, she eats Iams and Royal Canin catfood mixed together along with mealworms and crickets as her main food and treats. She can have other treats but there are some foods she isn't allowed.

Also hedgehogs need to be kept at a minimum temp of 22 degrees celsius but warmer is better so that could be considered high maintenance for people. She also needs a 12 inch wheel to run on as they can travel up to 8 miles in the wild and the wheel should not have a mesh surface as it could damage her toes.

I found the initial layout expensive but worth it.

Personality wise, they can be nervous and shy so need time to get used to you as their new owner and during this time they will huff and puff at you. They have bad eyesight and rely on their sense of smell so us looming over them could be seen as a threat. The length of time for this will vary hedgehog to hedgehog, just take it slow at their pace and socialise them by handling them. They are tricky to handle at first as they are a small ball of quills but when they relax the quills lie flat. Hedgies like most animals have teeth and they can bite but so far it hasnt been a major issue has happened one and half times but both were my fault not hers. But so far I fnd Ruby great she is teaching me slowly.

Does this info help at all? Have you any other questions?

There are other websites out there including
http://hedgehogcentral.com/forum/index.php?act=idx

Rb

Yeah very helpful information tbh, thanks!

When you say "socialise" with her, I'd imagine it's something akin to how you'd socialise with a hamster or rabbit i.e take it out of its enclosure, let it have a run around your bedroom/wherever?

cobweb

yeah kinda like that I handle her and get her used to being picked up and let her run loose on my bed covers. But where ever you let her have a i of roaming be sure to hedgie proof it as they can get in to small gaps.

Also the cage get as big as you can and a flatbottomed wire cage is good but you just need to hedgehog proof the sides of the cage as some of them like to climb like RUby and will get out through the bars and they are so quiet that you could be looking for her for days.

Rb

And how much did your entire setup cost? I.e the hedgehog, cage, bedding etc?

Oh and do they need special heating equipment or will keeping the house warm and having warm bedding for them do the job?

Very interested now tbh

herya

Very nice & informative site, as cute as they are I don't plan to own a hedgie (my cat would certainly love one...) but it does show how much you like your pet! Good luck!

cobweb

thanks for that,

well tbh it was expensive setting up I have put prices on the equipment needed page on the website but I did buy some extra stuff and also got a cage bigger then recommended as I wanted my hedgie to get the best I could afford.

I did daft things like find a cage online I wanted but was unable to get so bought another cage but then found someone who could get the cage I really wanted. But you learn from your mistakes

On the American sites they recommend a ceramic lamp and emitter to keep them at the ideal temp range of 22-26 degrees celsius as this prevents them going into hibernation which could kill them. I am getting mixed messages at the moment from Irish breeders but I bought a heat lamp just in case as it will be cold in Sept-April here, along with a thermostat to keep an eye on the temp in my cage which is around 22.4. -23 degrees range.

Rory123

Hi Cobweb... Where did u get the high sided litter tray in the photos on your site? been looking for one for ages!

cobweb

think it was in pet mania in santry or pet shop superstore in blanchardstown cant remember which

BeauZak

Where is the best place to purchase one? I would imagine one should research a reputable breeder and they have to be registered etc.

Great site! Love the pictures.

cobweb

there are breeders in Ireland and I am tring to get a list of them together but I know of one in Larne where I got mine and one in Waterford.

Normally the hedgehogs will be registered with the Irish registry which is part of the European registry.

I have a list of questions on the site to ask breeders

thanks for your nice words about the site

cobweb

just updating to say there is a now a list of breeders on the site in the breeding section of www.freewebs.com/enchantinghogs

cobweb

thought I would post some pics of Ruby my hedgie since I now have her a month. she is such a cutie!

kimmyt1987

I WANT one so badly after reading this!:D

sherloch

go to my blog at www.africanpygmyhedgehog.blogspot.com there is information about them. i will be putting up more information and videos of my african pymy hedgehog. i might also be breeding them during christmas and selling them to any one who lives in ireland

rachel2010xx

sherloch wrote: »

go to my blog at www.africanpygmyhedgehog.blogspot.com there is information about them. i will be putting up more information and videos of my african pymy hedgehog. i might also be breeding them during christmas and selling them to any one who lives in ireland

Hi, I am going mad to get a baby african pygmy,my boyfriend is getting one for me for xmas,but I cant find any breeders anymore,only 2yr olds ect.. If you are going to breed could u please let me know!!even if its a couple of weeks before xmas!hope u can help..my email is [EMAIL="rachelflanagan40@yahoo.com!thanks"]rachelflanagan40@yahoo.com!thanks[/EMAIL]..

sherloch

Sorry not able to breed them but look up Unclemikes pet shop on the internet that is were i got mine im pretty sure they still have them.

sorry