Hedgehog Adoption
Information On Hedgehog Adoption
If you are thinking about keeping a hedgehog as a pet, you can start considering a hedgehog adoption. Since 1997 hedgehogs have been on the international endangered list. This is due to their natural habitat being destroyed by construction and building. They do not prefer to be around humans and they are nocturnal, which means that they are rarely seen in the daytime. This is why their numbers are diminishing. It is said that the average hedgehog’s lifespan is usually 4 years. But because they suffer with diseases and are occasionally unable to locate ample food sources, the life span can go down to 2 to 3 years. This is why many people are thinking about hedgehog adoption and how to help this small creature.
Hedgehogs are smaller animals that could fit in the palm of your hand. There are a few different types of hedgehogs and they also come in different colors that include white, brown, tan and black. They have longer, pointy ears and a face that resembles a guinea pig. Their bodies are thick and stout and they are covered on soft fur. But among that fur are quills that are used for protection. These quills are not as spiky or as painful as a porcupine but they will puncture an animal who attempts to fight with the hedgehog. When hedgehogs feel frightened and want to avoid a fight, they will curl up into a circle so that the only thing you will be able to see is the quills. But normally, they will either retreat from the fight and run or stab the predator with their quills.
Hedgehog adoption is a good way to have a friendly pet and help increase the numbers of these tiny creatures. But first, you will have to check the laws in your area to see if you can even own one. In some areas it is illegal to keep a hedgehog, so make sure that you can legally have one. There are also specific things that you must do to keep your hedgehog healthy. It is sometimes difficult to do this because hedgehogs can have a hard time adapting to living in an enclosure. You must also be very careful about what you feed them because an improper diet can cause diseases to occur.
A hedgehog’s lifespan can be considerably shortened by a bad diet. They can have problems with cardiovascular disease and fatty liver disease if they are fed foods that contain high amounts of sugar and fat. In the wild, these creatures consume insects but they also are known to eat grass, wild mushrooms and berries. Many people who keep hedgehogs as pets use ordinary cat food to provide them with the proper nutrition. But you have to make sure that it contains no more than 15% fat per serving and it also must contain a full 30% protein. It can contain more protein but not fat.
When thinking about a hedgehog adoption, you will have to have the right cage. It should be large enough for the animal to fully move around and it should stand at around 4 feet high. You can add a small ladder or several tree branches so the animal can be on different levels throughout the day. Remember that hedgehogs cannot handle any temperatures that go below 70 degrees or over 80 degrees. So place the cage in an area where the temperatures do not vary. A small quiet room is the perfect place for a hedgehog cage.
You can place blankets or toys in the cage. The animal would also love a small cardboard or wooden box to hide in. Make sure to thoroughly clean the cage twice a week to remove eliminations and when you do wash the bedding, make sure to use a gentle clothes washing liquid.