Post by Lilith on Nov 24, 2016 19:14:35 GMT
Supply list
Not sure where to start? Want to learn more about the care requirements of these strange little creatures? This thread is all about what type of materials you will need to provide an African pygmy hedgehog a good quality of life. Here you will find links to other valuable resources as well as a good summary of what you should have ready before you bring your new friend home.
Before we continue, if you haven't done so already I would recommend reading through our collection of educational threads. I have included a handy link list below for your convenience.
Educational links
General hedgehog knowledge
hibernation & estivation
Heat & Lighting
Appropriate housing
Food list
Emergency guide
Before we continue, if you haven't done so already I would recommend reading through our collection of educational threads. I have included a handy link list below for your convenience.
Educational links
General hedgehog knowledge
hibernation & estivation
Heat & Lighting
Appropriate housing
Food list
Emergency guide
In the above links you will find a more detailed breakdown of why you need certain items and what could potentially happen if you are unprepared. Be sure to familiarize yourself with that information if getting a hedgehog is really for you.
Supplies
Enclosure (3-4 square feet minimum) - 105 QT storage tub or larger, vivarium, C&C cage, Living world guinea pig cages, any cage that surpasses the square footage requirements and can be adequately heated, AVOID MULTI LEVEL CAGES if you cannot fully enclose the ramp leading to the next level, or if the ramp is fairly steep. Hedgehogs are pretty clumsy and can hurt themselves easily in a fall.
Bedding or substrate - Kiln dried pine or aspen shavings work but you will want to find dust free stuff if possible. You can use carefresh paper bedding as well, which I personally favor over shavings. You can also have your hedgehog on fleece liners like Lilith is. Just be sure to provide your hedgehog some means of burrowing, or you may find them under the liner a lot.
Heat & Lighting - See HEAT & LIGHTING.
Hiding places - 4" PVC tunnels, cuddle cubes, tents, fleece forests and snuggle sacks (found on Etsy or can be replicated) are personal favorites of mine. You can also buy pigloos (Plastic hides that look like igloos) in most pet stores, just be sure to buy one that is large enough for a guinea pig. Wood hides can also be used, just be aware of the risk of mites burrowing into it. If your hedgehog happens to obtain mites from something you will have to throw the hide out.
Food / Water bowls - Find a set of bowls that are relatively heavy but don't have too high of a rim. Ash trays are a personal favorite amongst the hedgehog community because they are fairly large and carry some weight. Lots of hedgehogs enjoy tipping their food and water bowl over if you don't have the extra weight behind it. You can also use a water bottle, however these are often cautioned to be dangerous if you get the wrong type. The water bottles with a metal ball stopper have been known to pinch tongues, and several cases of hedgehogs breaking teeth on the stem of the bottle have been seen. If you go this route make sure to use only a glass water bottle and monitor your hedgehogs first experience with it closely.
Toys - Many different things make great toys for hedgehogs! If you are a little bit creative you will start seeing toy options in every store you go to. Medium to large pom poms, crinkle, minty and noisy cat toys are all great choices. Just watch out for cat toys that have loose parts that may be eaten or slits and gaps. Those particular toys are not ideal and have been known to cause serious injuries. Toilet paper rolls are also a particular favorite. Just make sure to cut a slit down the center of it before you leave your hedgehog alone with it.
Food - See FOOD LIST.
Emergency supplies - See #5 in EMERGENCY GUIDE.
Last edit: 02/01/17
Made by Time Lapse of Adoxgraphy.
