African Pygmy Hedgehog

Provide a large single level enclosure with a solid floor, a minimum of around 0.8 square metres and bigger is better, using a vivarium or large barred cage with narrow spacing. Use dust free paper based bedding or fleece liners for burrowing and hiding, and include a hide, a large solid running wheel of at least 30 cm, and a shallow litter area. The most important fixture is reliable heating, since the enclosure must stay consistently warm. Keep it out of draughts and direct sun.

Hedgehogs are insectivores that do well on a high protein, moderate fat, low carbohydrate diet: feed a quality high meat cat food or a purpose made hedgehog food as the base, plus a variety of insects such as mealworms, crickets and dubia roaches. Offer small amounts of cooked meat or egg and a little vegetable occasionally. Fresh water should always be available from a bowl. They gain weight easily, so measure food and avoid fatty overfeeding, sugary treats and excessive mealworms.

Stable warmth is the single most important factor: keep them at about 22 to 27 degrees Celsius using a thermostatically controlled heat source, because temperatures below roughly 22 degrees Celsius trigger dangerous, potentially fatal attempts at hibernation. Provide a warm side and a slightly cooler side, good ventilation and a consistent light and dark cycle. They are nocturnal and need quiet, dark days and about 12 to 14 hours of light to prevent hibernation cues.

African pygmy hedgehogs are solitary and should be housed alone, as they do not seek company and adults may fight or become stressed together. They can be tamed with regular gentle handling and become used to their owner's scent, though a nervous hedgehog will ball up and huff. Handle patiently and often, ideally in the evening when they are naturally awake.

A large solid wheel is essential both for exercise and to prevent obesity, and hedgehogs run remarkable distances each night. Provide tunnels, hides, dig boxes, foraging opportunities such as scattered insects, and safe supervised floor time to explore. Rotating novel scents and objects keeps their curious noses engaged.