Hedgehog Habitat
Creating Your Own Hedgehog Habitat
If you care a great deal about hedgehogs, you may have considered the idea of creating your own hedgehog habitat. Before committing yourself, it’s important that you learn exactly what creating and managing a hedgehog habitat would entail. Arming yourself with this knowledge before jumping into a project could help you decide whether a home for hedgehogs is truly the right responsibility for you.
Knowing the personality and physical requirements of the hedgehog is a great place to start. Hedgehogs are relatively small animals that are covered with about 7000 sharp quills. Unlike porcupines, hedgehogs do not shoot their quills at predators, however they are still the main defense a hedgehog has against danger. Hedgehogs usually grow to be about seven to nine inches long and generally weigh under two pounds. One could expect a hedgehog to live to a ripe old age of ten years.
The behavior of a hedgehog is a little different from that of at typical “pet”. They are nocturnal - they like to sleep during the day and are most active at night. Depending on the climate, some hedgehogs will sleep throughout the winter, as well as a very hot or dry summer. Much like bears, these critters will build up a substantial fat deposit and live off of that while inactive in hibernation. When hedgehogs live in a group, usually only one male is present, as additional males tends to result in fighting.
As for food, the hedgehog LOVES bugs. In one night, a hedgehog will consume about one third of his body weight in food. –But hedgehogs don’t only eat bugs; they will eat small mammals, birds, frogs and reptiles, fruit, and eggs. Hedgehogs even have enough poison resistance to eat some poisonous snakes!
As for building a hedgehog habitat, these creatures need a dry place that isn’t in direct sunlight, but is easily accessible. They live in various climates and are very common in East Africa, Europe, New Zealand, and Asia. A cage or pet igloo may be sufficient as long as it is waterproof. The soil that the habitat resides on should have good drainage so that the area does not flood. You may choose to include a small food and watering dish for your hedgehog. Be sure to keep his food dish freshly stocked and bear in mind that as a nocturnal animal, he will likely take his meals around dusk. Water should be replaced frequently to keep it from going stale. You will need to put bedding in the cage to make the habitat nice and cozy. Pine shaving or shredded newspaper work well as bedding, as long as you make the bed’s depth about four inches deep. The bedding needs to be absorbent while remaining dry on the top, and should also be replaced frequently.
Consider putting in a “hidey hole” for your hedgehog. Hedgehogs are shy by nature and sometimes they just need a place that they can run to when they don’t feel like socializing; a place they feel safe. A small planting pot turned on its side, a wooden box, and other such objects are perfect for giving your hedgehog the opportunity to retire to his safe place if he isn’t feeling sociable.
As you can see, it isn’t too terribly difficult or expensive to take care of a hedgehog, but it is a responsibility that requires attention and stability. If your hedgehog becomes dependent on your providing his meals and you suddenly forget one day, he may have trouble scourging the area for his own fare. If you still feel as though you would like to build a habitat for a hedgehog (or a group of hedgehogs, even!), just keep on top of his food, water, and bedding and you should have a happy little pet to observe!