If it appears to be in good health, then you should leave it alone to carry on with its business. However, if the hedgehog appears to be staggering or is out during daylight hours, then it may need a helping hand.
In this situation, you can gently pick the hedgehog up using a thick pair of garden gloves and place it into a suitable box with a well-wrapped hot water bottle, and ensure you call a wildlife rescue center to seek advice on what to do next. Do not use boiling water and ensure the bottle is well insulated to not burn the hedgehog.
Always remember that human contact can be highly stressful for a wild hedgehog, so you must tread carefully when dealing with one. Alternatively, you can contact preservation societies, which typically have very informative websites detailing what to do if you find an injured hedgehog.
If you do decide to pick the hedgehog up, you need to ensure that you have a large, deep box to put it in. Hedgehogs are surprisingly good escape artists, so they will easily escape from a shallow shoe box and potentially injure themselves further. They are also very strong, so it is best to find something heavy to place on top of the lid to ensure they cannot push it open. There has also been an increase in people abandoning pet hedgehogs in the wild, so you must immediately contact a hedgehog rescue center if you see a white-bellied hedgehog out in the open.
If you accidentally uncover a nest, you should gently cover the hedgehog back up and then leave it well alone. If you want to own a pet hedgehog, then it is essential you do so through a reputable breeder. It is essential that you conduct extensive research and due diligence before you decide to do so.
As mentioned above, the only hedgehog breed widely accepted as a domesticated species is the African Pygmy hedgehog. Unfortunately, this craze has paved the way for bad breeders to make money, often forcing female hedgehogs to give birth to more litters than they would naturally. This can lead to numerous health issues, so always ensure you are buying from a reputable breeder. Furthermore, many people buy hedgehogs without first understanding the specific needs they require, which can lead to them being abandoned.
You should also invest in a vivarium that you can keep between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius with an appropriate heat source. Higher temperatures can cause heatstroke, whereas temperatures lower than 20 can induce a form of hibernation or even hyperthermia. You also need to make sure you provide plenty of opportunities for foraging and exercise, such as tunnels, toys, hides, and live insects for food. Unless you are very experienced, knowledgeable, and mindful, chances are you are not going to be able to meet their complex needs.
Categories: Featured Articles Hedgehogs. Article Summary X If you want to tame a hedgehog, scoop your hand under its belly and hold it gently for about 30 minutes each day so it can get used to your smell. Italiano: Addomesticare un Riccio. Bahasa Indonesia: Menjinakkan Seekor Landak.
Nederlands: Een egel tam maken. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 91, times. Now I'm more relieved. Rated this article:. More reader stories Hide reader stories.
Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Nichola Charles Jun 23, Joyce Lillemon Boschert Dec 26, Isabella Anderson Jul 24, I have a hedgehog and now I know how to take care of her.
Thank you!!! Sarah Jeffrey Mar 20, Ashleigh Saylor May 25, Share yours! Pygmy hedgehog owners can parade their unusual pets in shows. Paddington the hedgehog was rescued from a London Underground station. Emma's hedgehogs are kept in temperature-controlled vivariums. Emma and husband Scott Crossan keep 11 pygmy hedgehogs. Related Topics. Published 30 August Published 12 June Published 31 August By logging your sightings on our map, we can better understand the distribution of hedgehogs in the UK so that we can start to piece together the reasons for their decline.
Just be willing to help us spread the word! Start the conversation with your friends and family and let them know what they too can do to help. Talking hedgehogs at Countryfile Live, August Accessibility Homepage Skip navigation Sitemap. Can we keep hedgehogs as pets?
The answer can often be found through a simple case of mistaken identity.
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