The long-eared hedgehog has a body length of about 30-50 centimeters and weighs about 400 grams. As a mammal, its spines are derived from its fur. Its spines will fall off and grow again, just like how we shed our hair. The spines themselves are not poisonous.
Chinese name: 长耳刺猬
English name: Hemiechinus auritus
Origin: Africa, Western Asia
Reproductive method: Viviparous
Hedgehogs are distributed worldwide, with higher population densities in parts of central and northern Asia, as well as Europe. There are 7 species in 6 genera of hedgehogs in China. They are found in the northeast, north China, and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, as well as in other temperate and warm provinces. Due to their requirements for temperature, habitat, and food conditions, hedgehogs are more common in the southern regions than in the northern regions. In the area spanning from Yushu in Qinghai Province to the Jinsha River Basin in Yibin, Sichuan Province, covering an area of approximately 53,000 km2, there is a rich resource of wild hedgehogs, ranking first in the country. The northeast of Yunnan Province and the eastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region also have a high density of hedgehog reproduction, with about one million individuals. This area has a unique natural environment that promotes rapid hedgehog reproduction. Hedgehogs are also widely distributed in places such as the Junggar Basin, Turpan, and the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang.
Recommended for enthusiasts, Hemiechinusauritus
Gentle temperament, cute and adorable actions, and easy to raise, deeply loved by children, gradually becoming a beloved family pet.
1. Parasitic diseases
Parasites often accompany the introduction or are brought to the feeding site by animal feed. Therefore, attention should be paid to the removal of internal and external parasites during the introduction.
(1) External parasites, mainly ticks, mites, and scabies. The ticks are dark brown and can be manually removed; the mites cause powdery small white spots and dandruff on the skin; the scabies cause yellow crusts on the skin. Treatment can be done by bathing with 0.05% "Crumex" for 3-5 minutes each time, with a 7-day interval, and a total of 3 times; or by regular intramuscular injection of Ivermectin injection, with a dosage of 0.2 ml per kg of body weight. It can not only kill mites, but also be effective against ticks and filarial worms.
(2) Internal parasites, mainly filarial worms and split-head larvae. Filarial worms parasitize the duodenum of hedgehogs, causing vomiting in hedgehogs, and sometimes vomiting with blood and black stools. The treatment uses bis-thiabendazole, with an oral dose of 5-10 mg per kg of body weight. Regular deworming is performed 1-2 times a year thereafter. Split-head larvae parasitize the small intestine of hedgehogs. Mild infection usually does not show clinical symptoms. Severe infection can cause loss of appetite, and alternating diarrhea and stool. The treatment uses pyrvinium embonate, with a dose of 5-10 mg per kg of body weight, or berberine hydrobromide, with a dose of 2-5 mg per kg of body weight. Oral administration once is sufficient, followed by taking it once or twice a year as a preventive deworming measure.
2. Gastroenteritis
This disease is caused by bacterial infection. Hedgehogs with the disease have reduced appetite or even refuse to eat, loose stools, lethargy, and dull spines.
Treatment method: Injectable streptomycin can be given by intramuscular injection, with a dosage of 50,000 to 100,000 units per kg of body weight, twice a day for 3 consecutive days. Clean drinking water should be maintained and fresh feed should not deteriorate in normal times.
3. Pneumonia
Hedgehogs with the disease have rapid breathing, coughing, loss of appetite, and weak walking ability.
Treatment method: Injectable norfloxacin can be used, with an intramuscular injection of 0.2 ml per kg of body weight, twice a day for 3 consecutive days.
1. Home-fed hybrid hedgehogs can be fed with a self-made feed, consisting of meat, grains, by-products, vegetables, etc., in proportion. In addition, small animals like caterpillars, beetles, snails, earthworms, and fruits can also be fed.
2. Hedgehogs have strong adaptability and are less prone to diseases. They do not have infectious diseases and do not bite people randomly. They can generally survive for 4-7 years. As long as the feeding management and hygiene measures are proper, hedgehogs rarely get sick and can usually be treated with corresponding medications for humans.
3. To check if a hedgehog is healthy, observe the glossiness of its spines, the fullness of its body, and the elasticity of its spines. If the spines are shiny, the body is symmetrical and plump, and the spines are of appropriate elasticity, it indicates that the hedgehog is healthy and disease-free, and can be selected for breeding.
4. During the nursing period of baby hedgehogs, the mother hedgehog should be fed with high-protein feed, rich in vitamins and trace elements, and in sufficient quantity. If the feed given in the evening is eaten clean by the mother hedgehog the next morning, it indicates that the feed is insufficient. In this case, increase the feed amount when feeding in the evening until the feed in the feeding bowl is almost consumed with a slight amount left when checked every morning. The feed given to the mother hedgehog should be fresh. If there are moldy ingredients in the feed, the mother hedgehog may have diarrhea and experience a lack of milk.
Hedgehogs can be bathed. When they are about three months old, owners can bathe their beloved little hedgehogs. Special hedgehog shampoo should be used, preferably not human shampoo. Hedgehogs should not be bathed too frequently, about once a month is enough. Since hedgehogs have many spines, be careful when bathing them to avoid hurting them. Pay attention to not let their spines injure yourself.
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