What is a Hedgehog?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
The hedgehog family, Erinaceidae, includes 19 individual species of small insectivorous mammals. The animal most people think of when they hear this name is actually Erinaceus europaeus, the European hedgehog, which is readily identifiable by the distinctive spines along its back. Spined hedgehogs can be found in Europe, Africa, and Western Asia. Nonspined relatives, known as gymnuras, can be found in Eastern Asia.
The classic European species has a series of stiff spines mixed in with the coarse hair on its body. The spines can be found along the back and sides, and they are not barbed like those of the porcupine. The underside of the animal is soft and tender, and when threatened, it will form a protective ball with its spines facing out. Hedgehogs have short tails and expressive faces, which have made them popular characters in children's fiction.
When mature, spined species can range in length from 4 to 17 inches (10 to 44 centimeters) long. Smaller species, such as the African Pygmy, are sometimes kept as pets in places such as Europe and North America. The gentle yet expressive animals are popular pets because they are relatively clean, sweet smelling, and easy to train. Pets tend to be playful and loving, assuming that they were born in captivity, and many hobby associations around the world promote their ownership and offer education as well.
The gymnuras resemble large rats, with long tails and stiff body hair, but no spines. They tend to be much larger at maturity, with the largest specimen being the Moon Rat, which can grow up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) long. Gymnuras do not make good pets, largely because they have a rather offensive odor.
Hedgehogs eat a diet composed mainly of insects and small reptiles, although they will also eat plant material to balance their nutrition. In captivity, they can be fed specially formulated food, while some pets are maintained for pest control purposes in the garden. Because these animals are not destructive to gardens, they are an excellent natural pest control option.
The hedgehog is sometimes confused with the porcupine, a new world rodent that is actually in an entirely different family. Porcupines tend to be much larger, and they are also equipped with painful barbed quills. Because of this, porcupines are usually not kept as pets, although some zoological parks have families on exhibit.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
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![Adult European hedgehog.]()
By: AnatoliiAdult European hedgehog. -
![The hedgehog has an expressive countenance.]()
By: pandpstock001The hedgehog has an expressive countenance.
Discussion Comments
The first one I had was the typical dark-colored kind. She was very playful and would eat anything I gave her. Hedgehogs have a tendency to get overweight, though, and it happened to her. I eventually had to put her on a diet.
My second one was an albino hedgehog, which is pretty common. She was a little more shy and would eat fewer things. I was more careful with her and made sure she didn't get fat.
If you do get a hedgehog, I would recommend going to a certified hedgehog breeder. Pet stores are notorious for having bad animals. A breeder has gone though the trouble of selecting healthy parents to create healthy babies. Plus I think it's good to keep people like that in business.
@JimmyT - That seems to be the way with a lot of exotic pets. I live in the south, and we can't have piranhas. Not that I would really want to have a piranha, but I know some people like them. I could definitely see how those could cause havoc with the ecosystem, though.
It's too bad that you can't have a hedgehog for sale in some of those places. They are really cool animals. I used to have one as a pet several years ago. I saw them at a pet store one time and fell in love. The best part is that they are relatively easy to keep. They don't cause a lot of messes, and they are able to eat a wide range of foods.
As far as I know, owning hedgehogs is legal in most places. I know for a fact that hedgehogs are illegal in California, because I have always wanted one, but can't. I am pretty sure you can't have them in Hawaii, either. There are a couple more states, but the vast majority allow them. The places that don't let you have them usually have the law in place, because the hedgehogs could survive in the wild if they were released.
Even if they were released, I don't know that a hedgehog would pose much of an issue. They aren't like rabbits that would multiply uncontrollably, and they don't particularly eat a lot. I guess some states feel differently, though.
Porcupines are also much larger than hedgehogs.
It is legal in most places to own hedgehogs.
it is legal to own african pygmy hedgehogs. just a few places it's illegal.
It is not legal to own African Pygmy Hedgehogs. I'm 99% sure there aren't even any in the country. We do have the European Hedgehog but again, not as pets.
I have a pet european hedgehog. I got home tonight to find out he hadn`t been out all day. I got him up but when he tried to walk he wobbled and was shaky, didn`t go far. It seemed like he could not lift his body up to move well; no trauma noted. I need help please,ray
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