Hedgehog

The hedgehog (scientific name: Erinaceus europaeus) is an animal of the family Erinaceidae and the genus Erinaceus. The hedgehog has a plump body, a wide head, a pointed snout, and spines from the top of the head to the base of the tail. Its limbs and tail are short, and its claws are well-developed. The spines on its whole body are pure white or dark brown with colored rings.

The hedgehog often moves alone in the evening, with slow movement and hibernation habits. It feeds on insects and their larvae. It breeds 1 or 2 litters each year, with 3-6 offspring per litter. It inhabits various environments such as mountain forests, grasslands, cultivated land or wasteland, shrubs or thickets, and is widely distributed in Eurasia.

Population distribution is not scattered. This species is very common and widely distributed, but rare in Sardinia, Italy, with no evidence of decline in most of its distribution area. The population of hedgehogs tends to be stable. Hedgehogs are widely distributed in the northeast region, but the population is not large. People often take advantage of the hedgehog's characteristic of curling up and not moving, which makes it easy to capture, resulting in a decreasing population. It is difficult to see hedgehogs except in some remote areas rarely visited by people.

It is recommended for hedgehog enthusiasts to keep them. Hedgehogs that live freely in the wild can help clear parks, gardens, and small yards of larvae, mice, and snakes, acting as unpaid gardeners. Because they prey on a large number of harmful insects, hedgehogs are considered beneficial animals to humans.

1. The hedgehog will lose some feathers as a normal part of shedding, but if your hedgie is itching and scratching and you notice more feather quills at the bottom of the cage, then your hedgehog may have an external parasite. Mites are a common external parasite found on hedgehogs and can cause your pig to itch. Feather quills will shed, the skin will become dry, and your hedgehog may be more irritable than normal. A diagnosis of mites can be made by scraping your hedgehog's skin and then looking for tiny mites under a microscope, which can be done by your exotic veterinarian (find one near you).

2. Dental problems The tiny V-shaped mouth of a hedgehog contains up to 44 teeth. These teeth, being mini versions of teeth, are prone to similar tooth problems. Cracked teeth, abscessed teeth, gum inflammation, and tartar buildup can all cause issues in our little patients. Preventing any dental issues is, of course, ideal, but is not always practical as our pocket pets like to roll their bodies into little spikey balls. If you are lucky enough to gain access to your spikey friend's mouth, then you may be a worm.

3. Reproductive diseases Besides population control for hedgehogs, more than just female hedgehogs should be spayed. Uterine cancer, infection of the uterus called pyometra, and mammary tumors can all be caused by hormones hanging around in her reproductive organs. These diseases can all be prevented by spaying your female hedgehog when she reaches approximately six to eight months of age. Neutering male hedgehogs is also key in preventing testicular cancer and can be done at the same age as females. Mites can enter your hedgie's home through bedding and food. Therefore, it is important to always freeze these items before placing them in the cage.

4. Urinary tract diseases The bladder, which holds urine (a little anatomy lesson here), should be a clear yellow color. However, sometimes hedgehogs can develop urinary tract infections or bladder inflammation, both of which can cause brown or bloody urine. Urinary stones (bladder stones) can also cause hematuria (blood in the urine) and may make it difficult for your hedgehog to urinate. Urine analysis, culture, x-rays, and bladder ultrasound are all helpful in diagnosing urinary tract diseases in hedgehogs. Kidney infections, bladder tumors, and other diseases of the urinary system can also be seen. Many other diseases exist and can be diagnosed by your exotic veterinarian.

The hedgehog has a gentle temperament and some breeds are only slightly larger than the palm of a hand, so some people in Australia and the UK keep them as pets. The common hedgehog is not easy to keep as a pet. Pet hedgehogs are bred by crossing common hedgehogs with African "four-toed hedgehogs". They do not hibernate, are smaller in size, and are not tolerant to cold.

For domesticated hybrid hedgehogs, they can be fed with a self-prepared diet consisting of meat, grains and by-products, vegetables, etc., in the appropriate proportions. Additionally, small animals such as caterpillars, beetles, snails, earthworms, and fruits can also be fed. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so they should not be fed with dairy products.

Hedgehogs have strong adaptability, are less prone to diseases, do not have contagious diseases, and do not bite people at will. They can generally live for 4-7 years. As long as they are properly cared for and hygienic, hedgehogs rarely get sick and can usually be treated with corresponding medications for humans.

Common diseases in hedgehogs include gastrointestinal inflammation, ringworm, and roundworm infestation. Hedgehogs with gastrointestinal inflammation have dull spines, weak movements, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. The feeding amount of food can be reduced, and tetracycline can be mixed into the food and fed three times a day. Gentamycin can also be injected. Hedgehogs with ringworm have flaking white skin. Antifungal ointments and corticosteroid creams can be applied externally, or tobacco soaked in esters can be added to the affected areas after being crushed and mixed with insecticides. Hedgehogs with roundworm infestation have decreased appetite and fatigue. They can be given roundworm medication. Hedgehogs that are not infected with roundworms should also be dewormed twice a year to ensure their healthy growth and improve their reproductive ability.

To check whether a hedgehog is healthy, look at the glossiness of its spines, the fullness of its body, and the elasticity of its spines. If the spines are glossy, the body is symmetrical and full, and the spines are of appropriate elasticity, it indicates that the hedgehog is healthy and disease-free, and can be selected for breeding.

You don't need to bathe hedgehogs because they can't be cleaned. Hedgehogs smear their spines with saliva, just like cats lick their fur. When smearing the spines, the hedgehog's mouth will produce white bubbles. After smearing the spines, there will be some white foam between the spines and the skin. Due to the special structure of the spines, it is difficult to completely remove them. In addition, hedgehogs smear their spines to record and mask the smell of their environment. If you bathe a hedgehog, it will still smear its spines. This is its physiological behavior, so bathing is a bit unnecessary.