Some animal lovers are crazy about a charming British couple, others love aquarium goldfish, cherishing the hope that one day there will be the one that will fulfill all wishes. But is there a place in the house for an ordinary forest hedgehog? And does the animal agree to change the place of residence?

Where to find a hedgehog?

Having seen a man, the animal does not run away in the forest, but curls up in a ball, trying to scare off the enemy. This method of protection is effective for forest residents, but not for people. Sometimes kids bring home a hedgehog wrapped in a T-shirt. But whether to leave it as a pet, or let it out?

In the natural environment, hedgehogs are quite independent and perfectly dispense with human welfare. A change of familiar environment is fraught with serious aggression of the guest. Most likely, hospitable hosts will be bitten when trying to tame a savage, and this increases the risk of infections that are not uncommon in wild animals. In a hopeless situation, if the hedgehog is injured or sick, be sure to show it to the veterinarian, cure and release it.

A better solution would be to buy a hedgehog from breeders; there are many societies of lovers of these prickly animals. By acquiring a vaccinated and domesticated hedgehog, it is very possible to find a true friend who is responsive to affection and care.

Pet house

The choice has been made, now the main thing is to choose his place of residence, because freely walking around the apartment, the animal can seriously harm itself and all kinds of things.For example, getting tangled in wires. Or bite them and die.

A good spacious metal cage is required, preferably with a retractable tray for quick and easy cleaning. It is not advisable to place a pet in the aquarium, except with the maximum number of drilled holes for air circulation. The front glass can be left intact to make it more convenient to observe its vital functions. The bottom of the new home is better to cover with straw or sawdust. Attach bowls for food and drink.

Hedgehog nutrition

Hedgehogs eat far from some mushrooms with apples, as is often shown in children's cartoons. As carnivores, hedgehogs will be greatly appreciated for slices of fresh meat. They will not refuse from caterpillars with earthworms. Yes, practically from any non-toxic insects.

Some people buy live mice to feed, but this is not necessary. It is quite suitable for feeding reasonable, familiar to humans, food such as boiled liver or a piece of unsalted fish.

Nevertheless, vegetables are also necessary; washed peeling of potatoes, carrots, and apples will do. And the love of milk is not an exaggeration at all; bread soaked in milk can become a favorite treat of a pet.

Behavior features

Having made a decision to get a home hedgehog, you need to know some facts about the special lifestyle of this cute animal:

Even a small predator needs to obtain important trace elements. A vegetarian diet will ruin the animal.

In nature, hedgehogs do not live in pairs, they are single.You can’t put two or more individuals in one cage, this will not lead to anything good.

The main feature of the hedgehog is hibernation, lasting about 200 days. In autumn, the hedgehog must be intensely fed so that the necessary supply of fat is accumulated in his body. In anticipation of winter, noting the pet's obvious signs of lethargy, drowsiness and numbness, the owner should place the cage with its inhabitant in a quiet cool place, whether it be an attic, a barn, a loggia. But make sure that the room temperature is maintained no higher than 5 degrees.

To equip the nest, the hedgehog needs dry leaves, grass and straw. Without suitable conditions, the hedgehog will not hibernate, but in the future, uncharacteristic animal wakefulness will negatively affect health, because this is an integral natural physiological period for this creature.

Do not forget that the hedgehog is a lover of sleep during the day, and he prefers to stay awake at night. Moreover, it is not worth releasing a pet on independent trips around the house.

Starting a wild, inherently beast, it is absurd to expect that animal instincts will recede. This is not a cat or a dog, for several thousand years accustomed to adapt to a person who imagines himself to be the king of nature. With a hedgehog in captivity, you need to be very careful, and yet it’s better to abandon the idea of ​​starting a hedgehog, wild beast must live in freedom.