Hedgehogs are wild animals. When buying a hedgehog, you need to know that it can be a carrier of dangerous diseases. It is better to buy domestic hedgehogs, which are bred by experts. Additional examination will reveal whether your hedgehog is sick or healthy.
Before you get a hedgehog at home, you need to realize that a hedgehog is a wild animal. It is impossible to turn him into a domestic cat that will be affectionate. This animal will walk in need, wherever it pleases.
Care features
Hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures, so during the day you are unlikely to see him, and at night he will become a real "noise generator". Their legs are designed in such a way that when walking on a flat surface of the floor, they emit a stomp, coupled with the grinding of claws.
In late autumn, hedgehogs hibernate. They become lethargic at first and only come out when hungry. During this period, they arrange a nest for themselves. Various debris serves as building materials for this. There may be socks, tape from a tape recorder, threads, pieces of newspaper.
It is important during this period not to disturb the animal, so as not to disrupt its preparation for sleep. If you suddenly find a nest, don't wake the hedgehog. An awakened hedgehog is an unprotected and vulnerable animal that can easily get sick and die.
The living area should be close to the natural habitat. It is better that it be an aviary or a spacious cage with a lot of building material. With the onset of cold weather, when the hedgehog falls asleep, you can move him to a warmer room, but not so much that he wakes up.
Feeding
In food, hedgehogs are completely picky, they eat everything that a person eats. In natural conditions, hedgehogs are quite voracious. During the summer, a hedgehog can eat up to 50 May beetles in one day. You can give boiled liver, but in small portions. A little milk, boiled meat and fish will also please the hedgehog.
In no case do not give your hedgehog synthetic and store products such as sausages, sausages and smoked meats. If there is a cat and a dog in the house, then hedgehogs like to eat dry food from their bowl. Don't let them do it.
You can give: cottage cheese, apples, bread crumbled into milk. Dried insects are an excellent food for a hedgehog. From time to time, you can pamper your pet with mealworms, which you can buy at bird markets or in fishing departments. In summer, you can catch various beetles and grasshoppers, this food will suit your animal's taste. Over time, hedgehogs get used to new food and do not feel the need for another.
The most important thing is that if you don't want to have a hedgehog in the house, then you can attach it to another family. If you recently picked it up in the forest, then try to release it in the same place. If the hedgehog was born in captivity or for a long time with you, under no circumstances let him go into the wild, he will die.
