Hedgehog versus deadly viper video
https://youtu.be/BDV5de82PaoHedgehog hunting in the wild - omnivore and well adapted natural predator - interesting video
Your comments are welcome
Mike
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Great video. Always amazed how they can get those camera shots in the middle of nowhere. A fire burning for 40 years, crazy. 0 -
Thanks--amazing little guy 0 -
The snake seem to know that he was outmatched. 0 -
Our hedgehog has killed insects in the yard - but I don't think he has come head to head with anything bigger than bugs (other than the other pets)
And during his active phase of the day (usually after sunset and during the nighttime) he is quite energetic and active - we allow him to roam about and interact with us and the other pets
He is litter box trained - or does his business outside 95% of the time - though his exercise wheel is stationed over the litter as he seems predisposed to running and eliminating when using it
He explores and pushes things around - and bites stuff (he sees more with his nose and his mouth than with his eyes)
He is also quite vocal and does interact with the other pets in a limited fashion - took awhile for him to be familiar with them and us and his environment (and not just curl up into a defensive ball or huff at things)
The ferret and the dog will kill a snake but I would rather never have to test that limit with the hedgehog
My understanding is that people's experiences with hedgehogs as pets vary widely depending on the breed and personality and handling history post breeder ownership
Not a rodent and not a porcupine - I don't think most see them as an apex predator or proactive explorer
Mike0 -
Saw them for sale in Washington State in a pet store. Kind a wanted them but passed on them. 0 -
If I remember correctly the closest relative is a vole - and the hedgehog does love to burrow...
Ours is pretty large - he is just under 2.5 lbs and is not overweight or fat according to the vet
The girls like to think he has learned to respond to his name - or knows he has a name but I think it's more likely he is sensitive to noise and is familiar with the sounds of our voices and our scent profiles and responds to those elements
He does like crickets and meal worms and asparagus and dry premium cat food - he will supplement his diet by hunting and grazing and gathering when he gets to go outside but it must be above 70?f for him to do so or he will go into hibernation (which is not good for them - they don't pack on enough fat like a bear and can starve)
Interesting pet but requires a lot of care
Mike0 -
Baby Hedgehogs are even cuter. 0 -
They are adorable
And nothing like a guinea pig or hamster or sugar flier or mouse
I like to watch him explore and wander around and visit the other pets whom are usually asleep - he seems to have a routine or route or "game trail" and will make a regular survey of things before doing other things
And anointing is a pretty odd behavior - which he does do sometimes but in a limited fashion - purportedly a behavior to attract or interact with other hedgehogs in the wild
But I am not an expert by any means
You do need to clean their feet with a toothbrush regularly
Mike0 -
My youngest just bought herself a hedgehog about a month or so ago. She is going to love that video.
Thanks for sharing Mike.0 -
The girls love him...
The dog and ferret will play with him in a limited fashion
I recommend snuggle sacks for their crate - and the girls made one with a detachable shoulder strap so he can get carried around
A hooded sweatshirt with the front torso hand warmer pocket in also a hit
Wikipedia has some good data and there are a number of forums and groups the girls belong to that have good info
You should handle a hedgehog every day during its waking and active phase - even if only for 5 to 10 minutes
They get grumpy when they are sleeping - they sleep a lot - and they can make quite a bit of noise overnight while exercising or exploring
The sneeze and huff and rumble
I am told that the larger breeds are much more active and noisy
There is high end hedgehog food but it's expensive and hard to find - we use blue buffalo dry cat food per the breeders recommendations
And a water bottle is better then a bowl
The cat is not a fan
Mike0 -
quote:Originally posted by mrmike08075
The girls love him...
The dog and ferret will play with him in a limited fashion
I recommend snuggle sacks for their crate - and the girls made one with a detachable shoulder strap so he can get carried around
A hooded sweatshirt with the front torso hand warmer pocket in also a hit
Wikipedia has some good data and there are a number of forums and groups the girls belong to that have good info
You should handle a hedgehog every day during its waking and active phase - even if only for 5 to 10 minutes
They get grumpy when they are sleeping - they sleep a lot - and they can make quite a bit of noise overnight while exercising or exploring
The sneeze and huff and rumble
I am told that the larger breeds are much more active and noisy
There is high end hedgehog food but it's expensive and hard to find - we use blue buffalo dry cat food per the breeders recommendations
And a water bottle is better then a bowl
The cat is not a fan
Mike
That is how my daughter handles and feeds hers.0 -
Cardboard toilet paper tubes and shipping tubes are a favorite
Pvc pipe sections and 90 degree connectors are great
Snuggle tunnel is a must have
And they can climb - there digits and nails / claws allow a surprising amount of dexterous movement
We like to take a dish towel out of the dryer still hot and that is another favorite when sleeping
He does spend probably 18 to 20 hours in his crate - and we have a multi story environment with a second level and a loft with an igloo and a bendy bridge
They will try to bite electrical cords and wires if left unattended
We are lucky that he uses a litter box - or eliminates while on the wheel over the litter
Mike0 -
Here's the Hedgehog verses deadly sea serpent. [:p] https://youtu.be/5kAj9syecU00 -
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
My youngest just bought herself a hedgehog about a month or so ago. She is going to love that video.
Thanks for sharing Mike.
Did she happen to name it Sonic?[:D]0 -
The girls named our hedgehog Sonic - who is apparently retro and classic or vintage in gaming circles...
Would not have been my choice
Mike0 -
https://youtu.be/8eXpBzDb098
Warning - 49 minute documentary / nature film on hedgehogs
For anybody interested
Mike0 -
Appears Baby hedgehogs are born head first. A breech birth would probably be painful. 0 -
I had not considered that - and have never seen a newborn litter after a hedgehog delivery / whelping...
I imagine it's a similar arrangement with porcupines...
And I certainly did not consider them being born with quills - but instead possibly they came in later.
I have seen dogs and cats and horses and chickens born
Just not a direction or topic / scenario that I ever gave thought to
Fascinating
Mike0 -
A not very ugly female veterinarian explains the good/bad parts of having a hedgehog as a pet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ_UpgqqVtY
Not very bad except for the SELF Anointing habit. Need to check with a exotic animal vendor to see if they are available and/or legal in S.A.0 -
Yes the behavioral practice of self anointing is a bit odd - especially after he eats asparagus - which leaves him with green highlights or pin striping on his quills...
Again I am not a hedgehog expert so I cannot correctly scientifically address all of his hard wired habits
Mike0 -
quote:Originally posted by 35 Whelen
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
My youngest just bought herself a hedgehog about a month or so ago. She is going to love that video.
Thanks for sharing Mike.
Did she happen to name it Sonic?[:D]
I was pulling for that name, but no, she went with Sage. Since it's a spice and female, I refer to the critter as Mel B. [:D]0
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