Hedgehogs love milk, apples and mushrooms, sleep at night and stomp funny. They are very much liked by children and, it seems, will not cause problems in the maintenance. The idea of having a hedgehog at home doesn't look crazy, but how easy is it? We have picked up 10 interesting facts for you.
By the way, wild hedgehogs are common throughout Africa, Asia, and many European countries, and the domesticated version appeared just a few years ago and is called the African dwarf hedgehog. These are wonderful animals that can give a lot of positive emotions to the owner.
But not all hedgehogs fit. Here's what you need to know before making a hasty purchase.
1. YOUR QUALITY
Of course, you already know this - like porcupines, the back and sides of hedgehogs are covered with sharp, hard thorns (in fact, it's part of the hair). Fortunately, spitting them hedgehogs do not have, but curl up in a ball and spin in place, causing damage to the predator - easy.
They don't get used to the person at once and often try to expose protection, so they have to spend a lot of time wrapping a hedgehog in a thick towel and trying to calm down.
2. THEY LOVE THE "I'm NOT HERE" GAME
In the natural environment, hedgehogs are wrapped in a ball when they see a predator or danger. They have strong muscular backs so that to turn the trickle, just by applying force, it will not work. If you get a shy pet or you don't spend enough time communicating and caressing, get ready to watch the protective posture all day long.
3. AND BEHAVE STRANGELY WITH A NEW SMELL
If a hedgehog meets an object with an interesting, sharp or just a new smell, it tastes first, then forms a small ball in the tongue and throws its head back sharply, trying to spit out the ball on the needles. So he tries to disguise himself and hide his aroma under the new one.
She is interested in flowers, cigarettes, soap, newspapers, book stubs, and many other things.
4. YOUR DOES NOT BITE
Unlike porcupines, hedgehogs are omnivorous, they eat insects, birds' eggs, small snakes and lizards, mushrooms, fruits and herbs with great pleasure.
At home, it is easy to feed hedgehogs - with equal success and raw meat, and fresh vegetables, and moths, and even a little dry cat food.
5. THEY CANNOT SLEEP AT NIGHT
Little predators prefer the nightlife when hunting is especially successful. Even hedgehogs domestication many generations ago usually sleep during the daytime and eat and play at night. They can make a lot of noise and are not suitable for people who are used to going to bed early.
6. THEY ARE A LITTLE PIG
They have an excellent appetite and will never refuse the treat offered, so that in conditions of home maintenance and lack of regular exercise often get thicker.
An obese hedgehog looks funny, of course, but he doesn't feel very well. Excess fat accumulates on the legs and back, preventing the animal from curl up in the usual balls. And from excessive over-eating of insects develops fragility and brittleness of bones. So you have to often let him run outside the cage and keep an eye on the safety of small objects.
7. HEDGEHOGS ARE VERY TALKATIVE
Most people think that hedgehogs don't talk. If only! They scream, snort and sniff. In a particularly good mood, they even sing under their noses or purr. They growl when they see danger, sizzle when they are upset or excited and cry in pain.
8. SOMETIMES A SOURCE OF INFECTION
Like any other animal, it can carry certain diseases, such as the feces of wild hedgehogs, which sometimes contain salmonella. Needles of hedgehogs brought from the street, cling to fungal spores, leading to the development of a person deprived of it.
Adherence to the simplest safety standards - washing hands with soap and water after communication with the animal and cleaning the cage will save you from possible problems.https://petsfusion.com/news/109/chego-zhdat-ot-domashnego-ezha/