Buy Pet Hedgehog Online
There's another important thing to know before digging deep into where to buy a baby hedgehog are the legalities. Do you actually know which states allow hedgehogs as pets? Please do your research so that when you do buy your quill baby, they aren't at risk of being confiscated. Even in states that are hedgehog-friendly, there may be some municipalities that have ordinances banning or restricting hedgehog ownership.
buy pet hedgehog online
In retrospect, we should have taken a business card from the vendor. That simple act would have interrupted a decision that was based purely on emotion (and how incredibly adorable the little quill-ball was). We should have investigated the breeder's operation and made a more informed decision. An impulse-buy of a baby hedgehog is NOT a good idea!
We saved the best option for last. If you are fortunate enough to live near hedgehog breeders, this could be an ideal situation. Of course, that depends on their willingness to speak with you about their litters; and them allowing you to choose your baby hedgehog. Since they are local, it should be easy to make some inquiries regarding their reputation and breeding practices. Along with the downloadable list of questions to ask the breeder, this puts you in the best possible position for knowing where to buy a baby hedgehog.
Meet Quilly. If there's ever a question you want to ask about hedgehogs, click on his image to see if he's already answered it on the Ask Quilly page. If you don't find your question, submit it and he'll be glad to answer it in a future video.
While the wild European hedgehog freely roams the gardens of the United Kingdom and elsewhere, the species that is raised for the pet trade is the African pygmy hedgehog, Atelerix albiventris, according to Dr. Keller, who is board certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine.
They may be roly-poly, but hedgehogs are actually quite athletic creatures! In the wild they often run several miles a night and are adept climbers and swimmers. To meet their exercise needs, pet hedgehogs need an enclosure large enough to accommodate an exercise wheel and space for natural foraging behavior.
It is also imperative to include an external heat source (an undertank heater or heat bulb) in the enclosure with multiple thermometers to monitor the efficacy. Hedgehogs come from a tropical part of the world and do best in a temperature of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler or hotter temperatures can make a hedgehog enter a state called torpor.
You should be aware that hedgehogs may acquire a variety of cancerous and cardiac conditions. With annual veterinary visits and early detection, a hedgehog can still have a good quality and length of life. Dr. Keller also recommends that all female hedgehogs be spayed. Female hedgehogs are prone to uterine tumors, which can be fatal. A preventative spay can altogether eliminate this risk.
This notice has been updated to reflect that the outbreak appears to be over and the investigation is winding down. Although the number of reported illnesses has decreased, it is possible that people could still get sick because hedgehogs can carry Salmonella bacteria. Canadians are advised to always practise good hand hygiene, frequent handwashing and safe handling of hedgehogs and their environments.
Investigation findings identified exposure to pet hedgehogs as a likely source of the outbreak. The majority of individuals who became sick reported having direct or indirect contact with hedgehogs before their illnesses occurred. Ill individuals reported buying hedgehogs from various sources, including pet stores, breeders, or sellers advertising online.
Although this outbreak appears to be over, it is possible that people could still get sick because hedgehogs can carry Salmonella bacteria even though they appear healthy and clean and show no signs of illness. Even having indirect contact by touching their environments can put you at risk for developing a Salmonella infection.
Hedgehogs can carry Salmonella. Kissing and cuddling a hedgehog can spread Salmonella to your face or mouth and make you sick. To prevent direct or indirect spread of Salmonella to others, follow these simple steps to help reduce your risk of becoming ill from contact with hedgehogs and their environments.
Based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to pet hedgehogs has been identified as the likely source of the outbreak. Many of the individuals who became sick reported having direct or indirect contact with hedgehogs before their illnesses occurred. Ill individuals reported buying hedgehogs from various sources, including pet stores, breeders, or sellers advertising online. The investigation is ongoing to determine if there is a common source of hedgehogs.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses that have a similar genetic fingerprint to illnesses reported in this outbreak. Investigators in Canada and the U.S. continue to collaborate to exchange information and identify commonalities in the outbreak information that may help to determine if there is a common source of hedgehogs.
African pygmy hedgehogs are solitary, wild animals that are nocturnal - so they're active at night. They have complex needs that can only be met in their natural environment, so they don't make suitable pets.
The wild African pygmy hedgehog's natural habitat is the dry, grassy plains of West, Central and East Africa. African pygmy hedgehogs travel large distances in the wild. They need space to roam, sadly they're often kept in small cages which are unsuitable for this very active species.
Unfortunately, it's currently legal to own an African pygmy hedgehog as a pet. However, under the Animal Welfare Act, owners must be able to meet the animal's full welfare needs. This means providing the animal with every opportunity to display normal behaviour such as foraging for live insects.
Sadly, many hedgehogs that are kept as pets are fed a diet too high in fat, which can cause obesity and other health problems. Standard vet insurance won't cover the costs, caring for an African pygmy hedgehog can also prove expensive.
Hedgehogs are undoubtedly one of the most unique pets which can be easily recognized by their tiny, cute demure and spiky body. But the spikes are not poisonous and neither do they easily fall off from their body. Hedgehogs can be a devoted companion to get rid of the pests that invade your garden. Visit Mufasa Pets to carry home a cute little hedgehog!
Exotic Nutrition manufactures premium hedgehog food made fresh in the USA with high quality proteins and wholesome grains with a variety of dried insects. These foods contain a blend of vitamins, minerals and nutrient-dense pellets or kibble.
Blizzard Baby Hedgehogs is a USDA licensed breeding facility. Our hedgehog babies are bred from top quality lineage from across the United States. Please feel free to browse our website and enjoy pictures of our babies, and all of their parents!
We discovered hedgehogs almost 30 years ago. I got my First Hedgehogs as a surrender when i was in vet school in 1990 and was hooked.. He was so curious and very misunderstood back then but he was an awesome pet. Once my shop was established and i got more into the exotics learning i started breeding and going to educational classes for exotics and knew i would be breeding them for the rest of my life. . We knew it was not to be taken lightly as hedgehogs can be difficult to breed at times. It is a mix of joy and heartache, but for us the good times outweigh the tough times.
We are located in Kansas. We breed our hedgehogs for health and temperament first and foremost. I love the array of colors but i dont comprimise their health just for the sake of the latest and greatest color, We sell our babies to approved homes within Kansas and in other states where it is legal to own these animals. Please feel free to email us with questions you might have. If we don't have the answer, we will try to get it for you! Please feel free to browse our pages and enjoy the pictures of our hedgehogs. We ask that you not copy or take the photographs without our permission. We appreciate that.
Young hedgehogs are generally curious and do not mind being held. Adults (especially males) tend to resist handling and usually will not choose interact with humans no matter how much they were handled when they were young.
Hibernation is NOT recommended for hedgehogs in captivity. Captive hedgehogs do not have the same fat stores as wild hedgehogs and hibernation inhibits the immune system and hedgehogs become more susceptible to infection and illness.
The bulk of the captive hedgehog diet should consist of commercially prepared hedgehog/insectivore food, 3-4 teaspoons per day. High quality low calorie cat chow may be offered but does not seem adequate as the sole component of the diet. To prevent obesity, ad lib feeding should be avoided.
Hedgehogs have shallow orbits, meaning their eyes may bulge and be more prone to trauma. This may occur in hedgehogs with facial tumors or tumors behind the eye, as well as those with loss of facial muscle mass. 041b061a72