Pets on the Green
Pets on the Green
Everything you need to know about caring for African Pygmy hedgehogs — from behaviour and handling to health and breeding.
African Pygmy hedgehogs communicate through body language and sounds. Learning to read these signals will help you bond with your hedgehog and understand what they need.
Hedgehogs go through several rounds of quilling — shedding old quills and growing new ones. This can make them grumpy and sensitive to touch.
Starts around 4 weeks old. Baby quills fall out and are replaced by slightly thicker ones. Lasts 2–3 weeks. Your hoglet may be extra huffy during this time.
Happens between 6–12 weeks. The most uncomfortable stage — hedgehog may hiss or ball up more than usual. Be patient and keep handling sessions short.
Around 6 months old, a final round of quilling produces their adult set. After this, quill loss should be minimal — excessive loss may indicate mites or illness.
A series of short, sharp breaths. Usually means "I'm annoyed" or "I feel threatened." Common when first picked up. Give them a moment to settle.
A more intense warning than huffing. Means "back off." Don't force interaction — let them calm down and try again later.
Sharp popping sounds accompanied by a head jerk. A defensive behaviour — the hedgehog is trying to headbutt with raised quills. Usually stops once they recognise your scent.
The hedgehog licks a new smell, creates foamy saliva, and spreads it over their quills by contorting their body. Completely normal — it's how they catalogue new scents. Can look alarming but is harmless!
Lying completely flat with legs spread out. A sign of total relaxation and trust — your hedgehog feels safe enough to let their guard down. This is a great sign!
A soft, continuous vibration when being held. Means they're content and comfortable. Similar to a cat's purr — a sign of a happy, bonded hedgehog.
Hedgehogs aren't naturally cuddly — they need time and patience to build trust. Consistent, gentle handling is the key to a friendly hedgehog.
Slide both hands under your hedgehog from either side, fingers flat. Scoop upward gently. Never grab from above — this triggers their defensive ball-up reflex.
Once holding them, keep your palms flat and open. Quills pressed flat (relaxed) are comfortable to hold. If they ball up, wait patiently — they'll unfurl when they feel safe.
Wear the same unwashed t-shirt during handling sessions so they associate your scent with safety. You can also leave a worn item in their cage.
Sit on the floor or a low sofa while handling. Hedgehogs have poor eyesight and can walk off edges. Keep sessions calm — no loud music or sudden movements.
It's fine to use thin fleece gloves at first if you find the quills uncomfortable. However, try to transition to bare hands as soon as possible — gloves block your scent and slow down the bonding process.
A small fleece pouch that your hedgehog can sleep in while you carry them around. Great for getting them used to your scent and movement without active handling.
A lukewarm shallow bath (2cm water) can be a bonding experience. Many hedgehogs enjoy swimming and will associate you with the positive experience.
Offer small treats (mealworms, tiny bits of cooked chicken) during handling. They'll learn to associate being picked up with good things.
Getting the environment right is essential. African Pygmy hedgehogs need warmth, space, and the right diet to thrive.
C&C cages (Cubes & Coroplast) are recommended — they're spacious, well-ventilated, and customisable. Minimum size: 120cm x 60cm. Avoid wire-floor cages as hedgehog feet can get caught.
Fleece liners are the best option — washable, safe, and comfortable. Avoid wood shavings (especially cedar/pine — toxic fumes) and loose substrates that can cause impaction.
Maintain 23–25°C at all times. Below 20°C risks hibernation attempts (dangerous for APH). Use a ceramic heat emitter on a thermostat — not heat mats or heat lamps.
Essential — hedgehogs run several miles per night. Get a 12" minimum solid-surface wheel (no rungs or mesh). Carolina Storm wheels are the gold standard.
Use a premium cat biscuit with 30–35% protein and under 15% fat. Scatter-feed to encourage foraging. Popular brands: Royal Canin, Applaws, James Wellbeloved.
Live insects are best for enrichment. Mealworms, waxworms (high fat — treat only), crickets, and dubia roaches. 5–8 insects per day is a good amount.
Small pieces of cooked chicken, scrambled egg (no oil), banana, watermelon, or blueberries. Avoid citrus, grapes, dairy, and anything processed.
Provide fresh water daily in a shallow, heavy bowl (not a bottle). Many hedgehogs won't use bottles, and bottles can damage teeth.
Trim nails every 2–3 weeks. Use small human nail clippers. Do it during a foot bath when they're relaxed. If you nick the quick, apply cornflour to stop bleeding.
Bath once a month or when dirty. Lukewarm water (2cm deep), use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub between quills. Oatmeal baths help with dry skin.
Toilet roll tubes, dig boxes (fleece strips), tunnels, and ball pits. Rotate toys to keep things interesting. Hide treats around the cage for foraging.
Watching hoglets grow is one of the most rewarding parts of hedgehog keeping. Here's what to expect week by week.
Born pink, blind, and deaf with soft white quills covered by a membrane. Weigh 10–18g. Completely dependent on mum for warmth and milk.
White quills harden and second-colour quills start pushing through. Skin begins to darken. Still blind and deaf. No handling yet.
Eyes open around day 14. Ears unfurl. They start to look like miniature hedgehogs. You can begin very brief, gentle handling (2–3 minutes).
Hoglets start venturing out of the nest. First attempts at balling up. Baby quilling may begin. Increase handling to 5–10 minutes daily.
Start offering softened kibble (soaked in warm water) alongside mum's milk. Hoglets will start sampling solid food. Weight should be around 80–120g.
Critical bonding period. Handle for 15–20 minutes daily. Hoglets eating solid food regularly now. Continue offering mum's milk access too.
Fully weaned, eating independently, and weight should be 150–200g+. Males and females must be separated by week 8 to prevent early breeding. Ready to go to their new families!
Weigh hoglets every 2–3 days using a kitchen scale. Consistent weight gain is the best indicator of health. A hoglet that loses weight or stops gaining needs veterinary attention.
Breeding hedgehogs requires careful planning, knowledge, and dedication. It's not something to take lightly — please ensure you have homes lined up for any hoglets before breeding.
Place the female in the male's cage (never the other way around). Supervised sessions of 30–60 minutes. The male will circle the female and try to mount. Lots of huffing is normal.
Gestation is approximately 35 days. Signs include weight gain, nesting behaviour (gathering bedding), increased appetite, and a rounded belly. Some females show no obvious signs until late pregnancy.
From day 28, provide extra fleece strips and a large, covered hide. Keep the environment quiet and stress-free. Remove the wheel from day 30 to prevent injury.
Litter size is typically 3–5 hoglets (can be 1–7). Birth usually happens at night. Do not disturb — check on mum from a distance only. Provide extra food and water nearby.
Do not touch the babies or clean the cage. Minimise noise and disturbance. Keep food and water topped up. Mum knows what she's doing — trust her.
Only intervene if: a hoglet is separated from the nest and cold, mum is clearly injured or ill, or mum has been away from the nest for more than 2 hours. If hand-rearing is needed, seek expert advice immediately.
Nursing mothers need 2–3x their normal food intake. Provide extra kibble, insects, and fresh chicken. Keep water accessible at all times.
Hedgehogs are generally hardy but can develop health issues. Knowing the signs means you can act quickly.
A progressive neurological condition causing muscle wasting and wobbling gait. Usually appears between 2–3 years. No cure — management focuses on quality of life. Genetic component, which is why responsible breeding matters.
Causes excessive quill loss, flaky skin, and scratching. Treated with Revolution (selamectin) from your vet. Do NOT use over-the-counter flea treatments — many are toxic to hedgehogs.
Signs: wheezing, nasal discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite. Often caused by too-cold temperatures or dusty bedding. Needs vet-prescribed antibiotics — can be fatal if untreated.
Hedgehogs can't curl into a full ball when overweight. Causes fatty liver disease and joint problems. Healthy weight: 300–600g depending on build. Reduce treats and ensure adequate wheel time.
Tartar buildup and gum disease are common in older hedgehogs. Signs: drooling, pawing at mouth, food avoidance. May need dental cleaning or extraction under anaesthetic.
African Pygmy hedgehogs cannot safely hibernate. If your hedgehog is cold, wobbly, or unresponsive, warm them up gradually with body heat (hold against your chest). Check cage temperature immediately — this is an emergency.
If you notice any of these signs, contact your exotic vet promptly. Early treatment makes a big difference.
Book a Hedgehog Talk or Animal Keeper Experience and get hands-on with our African Pygmy hedgehogs. Hoglets are occasionally available from our ethical breeding programme.
Enquire about hoglets →By appointment only — book online
