African hedgehog: reviews, photos and content. How many African hedgehogs live?

Pets for a person at all times were close friends. Someone likes cats or dogs, hamsters or birds. But there are people who prefer to keep exotic animals at home, which includes African dwarf hedgehog. This hybrid breed was created specifically to ensure that the animal could be kept at home. At once it is necessary to specify, that such hedgehogs can not be let out on the nature, as they can not survive independently.

Description

A gentle creation of a small size with soft needles is an African hedgehog. Photo of funny little animals just touches. Most of them are very sociable and quickly get attached to people. They do not need to live as a couple, because the presence of a number of individuals is of little use to them. Moreover, it is not recommended to plant two animals in one house, because they can fight each other.

Growing up, adults have a weight of 350-500 g and a length of up to 20 cm. They differ from wild hedgehogs not only in that they can not live in nature, but also in appearance, nature, behavior and needs. Another distinguishing feature is the fact that they do not curl up and have a white abdomen.

These animals were bred by European breeders in 1995 and were called "dwarf African hedgehogs." How many live these creatures? On average, about 5 years. The life of the animal can last approximately 2 years, provided that all recommendations of the breeder regarding their maintenance are strictly followed.

Character

Like other animals, every African hedgehog has its own individuality. Each of the animals has a special character and manner of communication. For example, some of them prefer solitude, and others - attach themselves to people. If the hedgehog is not very sociable, you need to try to win his favor. They like very much when they are stroked and caressed.

Going to a pet store or a nursery, it is worth choosing exactly the little animal that willingly goes to the hands, since it's very problematic to tame it yourself. Usually hedgehogs are peace-loving and affectionate creatures, but among them there are sometimes rather self-willed natures. They can try to escape, start snorting or biting.

An unusual animal, an African hedgehog, whose price varies from 4500 to 5000 rubles, will bring a lot of warmth, coziness and good mood to your house.

Adaptation

As a rule, a new house, smells and surroundings are a kind of stress for the animal. It is necessary to give him time to adapt in a situation unfamiliar to him. And for this hedgehog needs peace.

It is not necessary to hold it on your hands for a long time or try to stir it up. It can only be pulled out of the cage for a few minutes, then put back. The adaptation period can last about a week.

How to choose a place for the cell

The African hedgehog is a nocturnal animal and the peak of its activity falls precisely at this time of day. In order that he does not interfere with rest, it is worth to find a place for a cage, which will be at a sufficient distance from the bedroom.

Before you bring a hedgehog to the house, you should determine in advance where the house will be. The place should be comfortable, otherwise the animal can get sick and even die.

Categorically it is not recommended to place the cage on the windowsill. Direct rays of the sun are harmful, since a hedgehog can get a heat stroke. In the cold season, if there are drafts, colds occur if the windows are not sealed.

House choice

Before buying a small animal, you need to take care of where it will live. As a small house can serve as a cage for rabbits, as well as a glass or plastic terrarium. The size of their bottom should be not less than 60 X 60 cm. The house must be closed from above, otherwise the hedgehog will run away. If you want it to be open, then the walls of the future dwelling should have a slippery coating, and their height is more than 30 cm.

It is necessary that the bottom of the house is solid. Strictly forbidden floor, consisting of rods, as the small feet of the hedgehog will always catch on to them. The distance between the rods should be insignificant. Given the size of the animal in childhood, it can easily escape or get stuck between them.

House equipment

Toilet for a hedgehog can be arranged in a box full of sawdust. This animal is very clean. He goes to the toilet only in a specially designated place. As a filler, birch or aspen sawdust will work, but cedar can not be used. Essential oils present in its wood have a negative impact on the health of the animal. For the toilet, paper flakes are also suitable, often used for cat litter.

House cleaning is necessary at least once a week. The detergent used for this purpose should not contain any aggressive components.

African hedgehog, the photo of which is presented in this article, is very fond of various toys. Most often he gets objects, like cats. Ideal - a ringing plastic ball.

Since animals like to eat well and quite often overeat, and besides they also lead an insufficiently active way of life, they badly need physical exertion. For this purpose, a special wheel is used in the cage, which they use for running. Devices are different, but you need to choose such a product, the surface in which will be continuous and without crossbeams. The diameter of the wheel should be at least 30 cm.

It can not be said that an African hedgehog likes to sleep. Its light day can be from 12 to 14 hours, and it does not depend on the time of year. In winter, when very early in the dark, it will be necessary to turn on the backlight in the house.

Temperature conditions

As you know, the African dwarf hedgehog is bred specifically for keeping in the home and in the wild it simply does not exist. That's why they require more attention than other species of this animal. To create the most favorable conditions for a hedgehog's life, the temperature in the room should be comfortable: in the daytime it is about + 22-25⁰ С, and at night - 2-5 degrees lower.

At a lower temperature, the animals hibernate. The way out of this situation can be the use of a special heated mat. It is placed under the bottom of the house.

Walking around the apartment

As already mentioned above, for hedgehogs it is necessary to equip special houses in which it is convenient for them to live. But sometimes you can let them walk around the apartment a bit. At this time, we must not lose sight of them. They run fast and can drop under some furniture and hide. Then they will be quite difficult to find.

In addition, under the furniture is always going to dust, and this is very harmful to the health of the animal, since it can breathe in it. Also, the animal is not immune from getting any injuries. In order not to expose him to danger, one must be alert all the time.

Walking in the street

Like all living things, African hedgehogs, whose content is quite easy for its master, also need fresh air. If the outside is a warm, pleasant day, but without the stuffiness and exhausting heat, you can take a walk with the beast.

It should be remembered that they are very smart and can run out onto the grass and eat a earthworm or some insect. This should not be allowed in any case. The fact is that after eating a worm, hedgehogs can develop capillarial disease. Street insects only harm. You should give your pet only those that have been grown artificially. In addition, the grass live a variety of microbes, from which it is necessary to protect your pet.

Warning

Despite the fact that the decorative hedgehogs of Africa - infinitely cute and charming creatures, nevertheless, it is necessary to limit the communication of young children with these animals. The fact is that animals can be afraid of screaming or careless handling of them and bite the baby. In addition, their needles are also unsafe and can be injured.

Dishes

It is necessary to pay special attention to bowls for food and drink. Both containers should be capacious, stable and rather heavy, so that the hedgehog does not turn them over. Perfectly fit bowls of ceramics for eating. Their height should not exceed 5 cm, and diameter - 8-15 cm. Nipple drinkers are very convenient , but, unfortunately, not all hedgehogs know how to use them.

Feeding

Do not particularly think about what the African hedgehog eats. For him, perfect cat food premium. It is natural, free of any flavors and other harmful additives. It is also necessary to ensure that the composition of the feed does not include starch-containing ingredients, such as corn or potatoes.

Since cat food is largely multi-parted, it's good if it has a meat base. It can be chicken, beef or turkey. But do not forget about fruits and vegetables.

In addition to meat and vegetable products, sometimes you need to spoil hedgehogs and unusual gifts such as crickets, grasshoppers and zoofobus.

Contraindicated products

African hedgehogs, the content of which still requires some knowledge, rather unpretentious. The most important thing is that their food should consist exclusively of natural products that do not contain any harmful additives and impurities, as the health and well-being of the pet can be disrupted.

Then the products that are contraindicated to hedgehogs will be listed. First of all, the animal does not tolerate lactose. That is why all dairy products must be immediately excluded from their diet. Different dried fruits and raisins usually stick to the larynx and get stuck in the teeth of the animal. You can not give them avocados, since there are cases when hedgehogs were being etched with this fruit. Pineapple is also included in the list of banned products. In its composition there is an acid that corrodes the delicate mouth cavity of the animal. For the same reason, it is impossible to give onions, garlic and citrus fruits to hedgehogs.

As for nuts and seeds, their shell can injure the animal and spoil its teeth. Also, one should not give him fast food, chips and chocolate. And the oil of cedar and tea tree in general should be kept away from them, because even their smell can be dangerous for this animal.

Hedgehog African, whose testimonies indicate that keeping them fairly easily and pleasantly, will become a favorite not only for children, but for the whole family.