Hedgehog Age Considerations When Purchasing A Hedgehog - Millermeade Farm's Critter Connection (2024)

FAQs

How old should a hedgehog be when you buy it? ›

Target Age

Most breeders recommend selecting a fully weaned hedgehog that is between six- and twelve-weeks old.

Hedgehogs may be smaller than cats or dogs but still need exercise, a healthy diet, and regular vet care. They have unique needs that must be met to keep them happy, such as a spacious enclosure, an exercise wheel, and toys to prevent boredom.

Hedgehogs have a relatively long lifespan for their size. In captivity, lack of predators and controlled diet contribute to a lifespan of 8–10 years depending on size. In the wild, larger species live 4–7 years (some recorded up to 16 years), and smaller species live 2–4 years (4–7 in captivity).

You can typically adopt hedgehogs from pet stores once they have been weaned and reached an appropriate age – usually when they are about six to eight weeks old. Baby hedgehogs need special care when they are born.

Currently, the most reliable technique involves ventrobuccal (lower jaw) sectioning to count the periosteal growth rings. Changes to calcium metabolism during hibernation results in a slowing of bone deposition in the periosteum, the thin connective tissue membrane covering the bones.

The time it takes for a hedgehog to reach full maturity depends on various factors like diet, genetics, and species. Generally, most hedgehogs are full-size when they are around 6 months old. However, it takes some types longer. The true timeframe to reach full size could take up to 11 months.

While hedgehogs are considerably smaller than cats or dogs, they still require exercise, a nutritious diet, and regular veterinary care. Not only that, hedgehogs come with a host of requirements that will need to be met to keep them happy, including a large enclosure.

The most common breed of hedgehogs is the African pygmy hedgehog, also called the four-toed hedgehog or the white bellied hedgehog. They are usually between 6” - 8” long, making them a great pet for a small household. Other popular pet breeds are the European hedgehog and the long-eared hedgehog.

Hedgehogs need environmental temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. Keep your hedgehog's cage away from drafts, direct sunlight, or cold areas. You may want to provide your hedgehog with a small warm spot in his cage where he can go to get warm but would also be able to get away from if he feels too warm.

On average, when kept as a pet, the hedgehog lifespan is about 4 to 6 years — with some domesticated hedgehogs living about 8 years. “Hedgehogs can be prone to mites and parasites, certain cancers, heart disease, and obesity,” Dr. Jones told The Dodo.

How big is an 8 week old hedgehog? ›

Weight guides given are for wild hedgehogs, hand reared hedgehogs can weigh 500 or 600gms at 8 weeks.

For many species, males are more aggressive than females. Because of this, females are typically viewed as more desirable pets than males. This tendency, however, is not true of hedgehogs. Male and female hedgehogs show no consisten temperament difference in how they react toward humans.

Hedgehogs live alone in the wild and are typically solitary animals. They may take a while to warm up to you when you first bring them home. Patience and time will help them trust you. Hedgehogs can be a fun and low-maintenance pet for your household, but they do need some special care.

Hedgehogs are great for people who have the time to handle their pet daily to socialize it. They do well when housed alone and do not need to be kept with other hedgehogs, but they should be allowed out of their cages at least once a day for exercise and social interaction.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal and only come out at night. Generally, any hedgehog out during the day is probably in trouble and will need to be picked up and taken to a wildlife rescue centre.

Though the average lifespan for a hedgehog is 2-3 years, hedgehogs certainly aren't old at 2 or 3. Pat Morris tells us that hedgehogs only start to be old at 5 years.

This is called the Founder's Effect and can be seen in other animals as well. A 5-year-old hedgehog is about 76 in human years, so if your hedgehog lives 5-7 years it has lived a full life, but five years is longer than the national average.