My Life with a Hedgehog
By Adam Scoppa |
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This is my pride and joy: Cosgrove the African pygmy hedgehog. While not entirely uncommon, I'm the only person I know who owns one. If you prefer a quiet, low-maintenance pet, the pygmy hedgehog may be for you.
Photo: Christopher Atwood
Now, as with any pet, low maintenance should not be confused with little responsibility. Hedgehogs are intelligent, peculiar critters and may take time adapting to their new environments and owners.
At first, they can be ornery, and this varies from one animal to the other. Cosgrove informs me that he doesn't want my attention in true hedgehog fashion: by curling into a ball, erecting his hundreds of quills and hissing. It's quite intimidating. The quills are not at all poisonous, but extended contact may cause slight irritation to the skin.
I handled Cosgrove often at first to familiarize him with my scent. While I did this, he would frequently lick my hand, develop a lather with his saliva, and "anoint" his quills with it. The nature of this procedure remains unknown, but many think it to be a cautionary exercise.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal. If all the lights are off, he'll crawl out of his bed after sundown to eat a snack. This is the best time to interact with a hedgehog because they need to expend energy- in fact, Cosgrove likes to run inside his wheel for upwards of six hours a night.
I was hard-pressed to find a pet store in Columbus that carried hedgehogs and looked to Craigslist to find Cosgrove, but an independent breeder is the best way to ensure a healthy hog. Millermeade Farms in Montpelier, just west of Toledo, is the top recommended Ohio breeder.
African Pygmy Hedgehog
Aliases: Hedgepig, Pricklepig, Cactus Hamster
Diet: Dry kitten food, assorted fruits and vegetables, assorted cooked meat, mealworms, crickets
Life expectancy: 4-6 years
Interesting fact: Hedgehogs can be litter trained. I have not yet attempted this.
For more information, visit www.hedgehogcentral.com
Send us your pet photos for our gallery! victoria@614columbus.com
Originally Published: September 1, 2009
