PENNY'S PRICKLY PIGS

  • Hoglets
    • Payment
  • Breeding Schedule
  • Waiting List
    • Adoption Application
  • Our Prickly Pigs
  • The Hedgehog Blog
    • Hedgehogs As Pets
  • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Hoglets
    • Payment
  • Breeding Schedule
  • Waiting List
    • Adoption Application
  • Our Prickly Pigs
  • The Hedgehog Blog
    • Hedgehogs As Pets
  • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

The Hedgehog Blog

Hedgehog Color Guide

1/28/2022

0 Comments

 
You may have seen "Oak Reverse Blaze Odd Eye" describing our male, Don Julio, and thought to yourself, "in English, please!" Sometimes it feels like you're reading a foreign language when you see the color descriptions of hedgehogs. There are quite a variety of hedgehog colors, ranging from Albino to Algerian Black, and we're here to hopefully break down what some of the colors and descriptions mean. 
Picture

base color

First, we start with the base color. The base color is the color of the skin, mask, ears, and arms/legs. Each color can also range from light to dark versions of that color (for example, light gray to dark gray). 

Note: Albino is a recessive gene that means the hedgehog lacks pigmentation. The skin is pink, eyes are red, and quills are white. 
Algerian Black Hedgehog
Belvedere is Algerian Black with a Full Mask
Apricot
Black
Brown 
Charcoal
Chocolate
Cinnacot/Cinnamon
Gray
Oak

Quill Pattern

Some hedgehogs have a special pattern with their quills. This typically ranges from snowflake to pinto to all-white. The patterns also vary depending on how much pattern is present. For example, minimum pinto, to reverse pinto or snowflake and high snowflake.
Algerian Dark Gray Pinto Hedgehog
Rex, pictured here, is Algerian Dark Gray Pinto
Snowflake
Pinto/Reverse Pinto
Platinum
White
  • Snowflake pattern is when white quills are interspersed with banded quills. The more white quills present, the "higher" the snowflake.
  • White/Double White/Platinum are when a hedgehog has minimal to no banded quills (Double White) 
  • Pinto is when a hedgehog has a cluster of white quills. If the cluster is small, that would be considered mini pinto (minimal pinto). Reverse Pinto is when the hedgehog has mostly white quills and the cluster is of banded/darker quills.

Facial markings

Facial markings indicate the pattern on a hedgehog's face, nose, eyes, and/or ears. As you can imagine, there are many variations, so we have included the most common facial markings.
Dark Gray Hedgehog with Split Face and Mismatched Ears
Tanqueray is Algerian Dark Gray with Split Face and Mismatched Ears
Eyes (Dark Eyes, Odd Eye, Ruby Eyes)
Ears (Mismatched Ears)
Badger Stripes
Blaze
Eyeliner
Eye Patch
Full Mask
Pinto Face
Reverse Blaze
Smudge Face

Split Face
Another great resource for hedgehog colors is the International Hedgehog Association, where there are pictures of many of the color combinations. 
What colors, patterns, and facial markings are we missing? What is the most unique color/pattern combo you've seen?
0 Comments

is a hedgehog the right pet for my child?

12/14/2021

0 Comments

 
Child holding a hedgehog
Hedgehogs are undeniably cute little critters and, with the proper care, make for wonderful pets. They are also great for individuals who are allergic to most animals. Your child is now completely in love with the idea of a hedgehog as a pet, but is it a good idea? Here are some questions to ask yourself to figure out if a hedgehog is a suitable pet for your child.
Who will be responsible for the hedgehog?
Like all pets, hedgehogs require specific care and attention including, but not limited to feeding, fresh water, socialization, cage and wheel cleaning, nail trimming, occasional baths and more. Who will be responsible for making sure the hedgehog is taken care of? If your child's interest wanes, are you willing to step up to take care of your pet for the lifespan of the hedgehog (up to 6+ years)? Note: We ask that all minors (under 18) who submit an adoption application, have a supervising adult that is willing to care for the hedgehog for its entire lifespan if the child cannot/does not. 
Why does your child want a hedgehog?
Ask your child why they want a hedgehog. The response might surprise you! It's important that your child has done the research, knows the appropriate care, and is ready to take on this responsibility for the rest of the hedgehog's life. 
Do you want a cuddly pet?
Hedgehogs are not "soft" and "cuddly" per se. They do have quills, designed to be defense mechanisms, so they can be sharp - especially baby quills. Friendly hedgehogs will generally let their quills down after they get used to you. It's important that your hedgehog is socialized regularly, in your hands, without gloves on. If you or your child is too afraid to handle hedgehogs, they are likely not an ideal pet for them at this time. 
So what is the best age to start owning hedgehogs?
There is no one specific right answer for this question. It will come down to your child's level of responsibility and maturity. Typically, I see this stage reached around middle school (or older) depending on the child WITH an attentive supervising adult. I personally, adopted my first hedgehog when I was about 12 years old. 

Ultimately, you know your child best and know your willingness to step in to become the primary caregiver if your child is no longer as interested as the hedgehog deserves. 

What age did you get your first hedgehog? Let us know!
0 Comments

are hedgehogs legal?

12/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
You're looking at getting a hedgehog as a pet, but are they legal? In most locations, they are legal to own as pets, however there are some exceptions. 

Hedgehogs are currently illegal to own in the following locations:
  • California
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Pennsylvania
  • Washington D.C.
  • New York City (all 5 boroughs)

The laws are always evolving and changing, so you want to be sure to check laws in your state and local municipalities on owning and traveling with an exotic animal, specifically hedgehogs. 

Unfortunately, we will not sell a hedgehog to you if you are located in any area where owning a hedgehog is illegal. 

Have the laws changed in any of these locations? Are there new locations where hedgehogs are illegal? Let us know!

0 Comments

how to find a reputable hedgehog breeder

12/8/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

​You've decided a hedgehog is the right pet for you, but where do you begin to find the perfect hedgehog for you?

Like any pet, you will not want to buy your new family member from just anywhere. 

We realize it can be hard to discern a quality hedgehog breeder from a back-yard breeder, so we've put together some helpful resources on where to look for breeders and questions to ask potential breeders before purchasing your hedgehog. 

Where to find breeders

First, let's cover where to not find your reputable breeder. I would avoid the following:
  • AVOID Craigslist | Unfortunately many of these are scams or back-yard breeders
  • AVOID Facebook Marketplace, Facebook groups or Facebook only | Facebook bans the selling of animals on their site. Breeders can have Facebook pages, of course, but the transaction should not take place on Facebook. It's best if the breeder has a legitimate website with more information on their breeding program and available hedgehogs
  • AVOID Pet Stores | Most pet stores have very limited information on where their hedgehogs came from, which includes any health information, health guarantees and the like 

So where, then, is the best place to find a breeder?
  • Hedgehog Central
  • Hedgie List
  • NAHHI
  • Ask another breeder | If a breeder you trust does not have any hedgehogs available or is not in the location you're in, ask if they know anyone in the area. Many times they do!

questions to ask breeders

Most reputable breeders are happy to answer questions about their breeding programs. If you receive push back, it may not be the best fit. 
  • How long have you been breeding hedgehogs?
  • If you haven't been breeding long, who is your mentor?
  • Do you maintain pedigrees of your hedgehogs?
  • Do you have any health guarantees on your hedgehogs?
  • Do you provide post-purchase support in case I have any questions after I bring my hedgehog  home?
  • What are your herd initials? Are you registered with organizations such as Hedgie List or NAHHI?
  • How many hedgehogs do you have? (If more than 4 females, are you USDA licensed?; *USDA license is required for any breeder with more than 4 females)

For example, here are the answers to the above questions For Penny's prickly pigs

  • How long have you been breeding hedgehogs? 
    • We've been breeding hedgehogs since 2008
  • If you haven't been breeding long, who is your mentor?
    • When we first started out, Shannon at Dreamflower Meadows, was our mentor. She was excellent and cared so much about her hedgehogs. She also had a lot of hedgehogs and was USDA licensed. 
  • Do you maintain pedigrees of your hedgehogs?
    • Yes, we have extensive pedigrees on each of our hedgehogs. We provide the pedigree for each hedgehog that goes to an approved breeder. 
  • Do you have any health guarantees on your hedgehogs?
    • Yes, we guarantee our hedgehogs against WHS (Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome). In the rare and unfortunate instance if your hedgehog were to pass away from WHS (with proof of a necropsy performed by a qualified exotic vet), we would replace your hedgehog with one from our next available litter at equal or lesser value.
  • Do you provide post-purchase support in case I have any questions after I bring my hedgehog  home?
    • Absolutely. We want to make sure you and your new hedgehog have a great transition to life together. We're happy to answer any questions you have.
  • What are your herd initials? Are you registered with organizations such as Hedgie List or NAHHI?
    • Our herd initials are PPP, established before herd initials were transitioned to four letters. We're registered with the IHR and Hedgie List and are updating our initials with NAHHI, a newer organization.
  • How many hedgehogs do you have? (If more than 4 females, are you USDA licensed?; *USDA license is required for any breeder with more than 4 females)
    • You can see all of our breeding hedgehogs on our Our Prickly Pigs page. We maintain a small family to ensure we can provide them all with the proper care and attention. Since we have fewer than four breeding females, we are not required to be USDA licensed. 
Where did you find your breeder? What other questions were helpful when you were looking for a breeder? Is there another great resource for hedgehog breeder listings? Let us know!
0 Comments

hedgehog care: everything you need to know

12/7/2021

0 Comments

 
So what exactly does it take to raise a hedgehog? We've included everything you need to know about basic hedgehog care.

Below, you'll find the answers to:
  • How to prepare a hedgehog cage?
  • What is the perfect hedgehog environment?
  • What do hedgehogs eat?
  • What basic care do hedgehogs require?
  • How do I find an exotic vet?
  • Why is my hedgehog foaming at the mouth?
Picture

how to prepare a hedgehog cage

It's very important to prepare a proper hedgehog habitat before their arrival. Not all small pet habitats are ideal for hedgehogs, so please see our blog post on How to Prepare a Hedgehog Cage for detailed items, where to purchase them, and things to avoid. 

What is the perfect hedgehog environment

Putting together your perfect hedgehog cage is only part of the hedgehog environment.
  • Maintain temperature between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Hedgehogs require warm temperatures between 75-80 degrees, free of drafts. Some people may not want to heat their entire house to 75 degrees, so we recommend supplementing the room where your hedgehogs live with a small space heater. We use this Amazon Basics small space heater. I also like to keep a thermometer near the cage to be sure the temperature is in an appropriate range. I use this bluetooth thermometer that connects with my phone and sends notifications if the temperature is outside of my desired range. 
  • Natural Light
    • Hedgehogs, like most living things, like natural light. Since they are nocturnal, it helps for hedgehogs to have natural daytime/nighttime rhythms. Be sure to mimic these times and provide hedgehog adequate time with any supplemental lights off, and lights on if necessary.

what do hedgehogs eat?

It may surprise you to learn that the best diet for hedgehogs is high quality cat food. Thankfully it's nutritionally better (and cheaper! and easier to find!) than "hedgehog food." We feed our hedgehogs Purina ONE chicken flavor cat food.  You can also mix a few types of cat food together to make a blend of proteins. 

Be wary of too many additional treats (mealworms, etc) as hedgehogs can become obese. It is also helpful if you regularly weigh your hedgehog to track any sudden increases or decreases in weight, which can clue you in if there is a hidden health issue going on.

Also, hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so do not feed your hedgehog milk or dairy. 

What basic care do hedgehogs require?

In the grand scheme of things, hedgehogs are fairly low maintenance pets. With a dedicated and attentive owner, hedgehogs are easy to rewarding pets. 
  • Grooming | Like similar small animals, hedgehogs require regular nail trimmings
  • Baths | Occasionally, hedgehogs need baths. We recommend a shallow sink or bathtub. We use a dedicated "hedgehog" toothbrush to gently scrub the quills and gentle baby shampoo. Do not bathe a hedgehog too frequently as it can dry out their skin
  • Socialization | To maintain a friendly and fun hedgehog, regular socialization is necessary. We recommend 30 minutes a day, if possible. Fun tip! Hedgehogs love to cuddle in the pockets of sweatshirts if you're watching TV or gaming- just don't forget they're in there!

How to find an exotic vet

Hedgehogs do not require routine veterinary care. However, you always want to know your nearest exotic vet BEFORE a need should arise. You also want to make sure that your vet has experience specific to hedgehogs.

Here are some great ways to find your exotic vet. Be sure to call the ones you're interested in and confirm they are experienced with hedgehogs and ask procedures for regular or acute care as well as in case of emergency. Some vets have a different emergency or after-hours phone number. 

  • Search Google for exotic vet near me
  • Search Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians 
  • Ask your local veterinarian for a referral

Our recommended exotic vet in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area:
NC State Veterinary Hospital
919-513-6999
Raleigh, NC

why is my hedgehog foaming at the mouth?!

You're hanging out with your hedgehog and everything is great. All of a sudden your hedgehog starts "foaming" at the mouth and spitting it onto their quills. Yikes!

No, your hedgehog does not have rabies. No, your hedgehog is not having a seizure. This process is called anointing. When hedgehogs come into contact with new smells and tastes, hedgehogs anoint themselves. Why exactly, we're not sure. It's believed they may be saving that scent for later. 

Either way. Don't fret. This is a completely normal part of hedgehog ownership. 

Note: If there are other concerning things happening with your hedgehog, you should call and consult with your exotic veterinarian. 

What else do you want to know about hedgehog care? Let us know in the comments!
0 Comments

    Author

    Rachel, the owner of Penny's Prickly Pigs has been breeding hedgehogs since 2008, and owned hedgehogs off and on for 23+ years. We maintain a small herd to focus on quality and personality.  We track pedigrees on all of our hedgehogs. 

    You Might like

    Hedgehog Care: Everything you need to know

    How to prepare a hedgehog cage

    I'm on the waiting list, what next?
    Adoption Application

    Categories

    All
    About Hedgehogs
    Breeding
    Hedgehog Care
    Waiting List

    Archives

    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021

    RSS Feed

Hoglets

Hoglets
​Breeding Schedule
Pricing

Prickly Pigs

Our Hedgehogs
​The Hedgehog Blog
Contact
FAQ

associations

Hedgehog Breeders Alliance
Hedgehog Welfare Society
Hedgie List
NAHHI
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.