Welcome to our website containing useful information about owning an African Pygmy Hedgehog (APH).
APH’s are becoming popular pets to own, but before you go and purchase one you should do your research first. They require a routine, feeding, cleaning and looking after just like any other pet.
Take into consideration the nature of a Hedgehog, they ball up into a prickly, huffy ball to protect themselves, particularly when you first get them until they get used to you, your scent and being handled. Also don’t forget that they are nocturnal creatures, which means they will be at their most active during the night when it is dark.
African Pygmy Hedgehog’s should be kept at a regulated temperature of around 26 degrees centigrade, as they do not store fat reserves to survive hibernation.
Preferably they should be kept in a 4ft vivarium with a temperature controlled heat source, and a light on a timer to regulate their day/night cycle.
They can also be kept in a Zoozone2 (large, blue one) with no bars, or any other suitable enclosure that has no bars as they could climb and hurt themselves, and is a minimum 3ft space.
Hedgehogs need a lot of exercise, and so a wheel must be placed in their vivarium. Please read our guidance on choosing a wheel as some can harm your pet hedgehog.
Food is very important, and needs to be monitored so that your pet APH does not become overweight. Please see our guide and recommended food list, there is also advice on calculating the food protein and fat ratios.
APH’s are insectivores, which means they require insects as part of their balanced diet. These can be purchased online, and then frozen and fed dead to your hedgehog.