Talk:Domesticated hedgehog

Depression

 * Without room, a hedgehog will show signs of depression, such as excessive sleeping, refusal to eat, repetitious behaviour, and self mutilation.

Is that last item true? --Starwed 02:03, 7 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Yes. Very much so.  Depression is common in pet hedgehogs. --Kainaw (talk) 14:22, 7 May 2007 (UTC)
 * I'm referring to "self mutilation"... --Starwed 16:34, 8 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Yes. Hedgehogs have been known to repeatedly rub against sides of the cage, chew on their feet, or scratch themselves to the point of drawing blood when they are depressed.  Owners often comment that they have an OCD hedgehog.  It is more accurate to say that they have a depressed hedgehog that is performing repetitive behaviour because it is bored and pain is at least some form of stimulation.  I have seen hedgehogs that have chewed off their front toes, rubbed their noses raw on the bars of their cage and clawed at their ears until they were bloody shreds. --Kainaw (talk) 18:54, 8 May 2007 (UTC)
 * I can't help but feel this behavior is better described by a word other than self-mutilation, which has connotations which make its use seem odd here. On the other hand, I can't come up with a better term myself, and from a quick google search it does seem to be applied to animals quite often.  So I guess it should be left phrased as-is.  (Although the article could do with a couple of references; right now there are none.)   --Starwed 00:02, 14 May 2007 (UTC)


 * I have looked into this and I find it very difficult to get references about domesticated hedgehogs. The experts appear to only be interested in non-domesticated hedgehogs.  I am taking a different course and looking to see if Standing Bear has published anything.  He has worked with more domesticated hedgehogs than anyone else, so if he has written anything, it can be considered authoritative. --  k a i n a w &trade; 13:37, 18 September 2008 (UTC)


 * I followed the link for reference 4 in this section and the website for Ben's animals was made by a 5th grade student in 2000. Granted that makes me the same age currently (21) but I'm not sure if that really should be cited as a reliable source of information.  marcinkm191 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Marcinkm191 (talk • contribs) 04:12, 11 May 2010 (UTC)

foaming
I think the article needs something about the "foaming" habit that happens when they encounter something new. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 208.186.134.103 (talk) 08:40, 14 May 2007 (UTC).


 * It is called annointing. I'll check the article.  I believe it is in the hedgehog article and not this article. --Kainaw (talk) 11:55, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

Hibernation
This article mentions in numerous places that a domesticated hedgie will die if allowed to hibernate. I had a hedgehog for five years who hibernated each year at the end of November and revived around the end of March. Are you trying to tell me that she was resurrecated from death each time? Please research the validity of this. Thanks! 24.119.6.181 15:32, 4 September 2007 (UTC)Dorfner


 * It states "Attempts to hibernate due to lowered body temperatures are commonly fatal." It depends on many circumstances. --  k a i n a w &trade; 15:44, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I have disagree strongly that "hibernation attempts are commonly fatal." As an owner of hedgehogs for 14+ years and a breeder for over 4 years, I have had many hedgehogs go into hibernation at 73F (when other issues were present) or when the temp has slipped slightly lower. The hibernation attempt, if found within a reasonable amount of time (a day or 3), is easy to reverse by warming up the hedgehog with a heating pad or body heat and then adding a heat element to their cage. However, if the hedgehog is neglected for a long period of time or exposed to very cold temperatures, they will die. Since our domestic hedgehogs are housed indoors and most people keep their houses reasonably warm, a hibernation attempt that if found within a few days is generally not fatal and usually doesn't even require vet intervention (although it is recommended that the hedgehog see a vet since the attempt could be triggered by health issues).

I feel that stating that hibernation attempts are "commonly fatal" is an over-statement and may turn away potential hedgehog owners. I would propose that the wording be changed to "hibernation attempts may be easily reversed if caught quickly, however they may become fatal if the hedgehog is neglected and left hibernating for several days." Thank you, Kelly Sosik-Hamor /Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.68.126.204 (talk) 07:02, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

I changed the wording on hibernation to "Attempts to hibernate due to lowered body temperatures can be fatal, but are easily reversed if caught quickly." as I think this is more accurate. —Preceding unsigned comment added by CThedgehogs (talk • contribs) 12:47, 20 October 2007 (UTC)

I also just want to add that hibernation attempts, even if caught early and "reversed" are primarily dangerous because they weaken the immune system. Perhaps something could be said of this...it is not uncommon for a recently revived hedgehog to be susceptible to an infection or mites or other health ailments a healthy hedgehog could have easily warded off. Itmeantnothing (talk) 05:06, 27 October 2008 (UTC)bridget

the links being added are broken or promote the sale of hedgehogs in some way
breeder sites are not reference links. one of the links is broken. the ihr or hedgehog registry does not repsond to clients. as i been trying to get in contact with them for 3 months. this is not sites i would refer to readers for reference. hedgehog breeder alliance is just that for the promotion of hedgehogs sales along with the hedgehogs central and hedgehog club. i also know numerous other hedgehog owners and hedgehog friends that have problems with the resgistry. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Hedgehogclub (talk • contribs) 01:32, 12 September 2007 (UTC)


 * I agree, but reverting the links over and over is not the proper way to handle this. There is a 3-revert rule on Wikipedia.  If you revert the same thing 3 times, you are setting yourself up to be blocked.  The proper way to handle this is:
 * First time: Revert the edits and leave a note on the user's talk page explaining that they shouldn't put the information on the page. If they disagree with you, take it to the talk page for the article, Talk:Domesticated hedgehog in this case.
 * Second time: Revert the edits and leave a message repeating yourself on the user's talk page and stress that you will suggest administrator intervention if they continue.
 * Third time: Go to WP:AIAV (Administrator Intervention Against Vandalism) and report the user. Let an administrator warn/block the user and remove the vandalism.  This keeps you away from the 3-revert rule.
 * I hope this helps. Vandalism is frustrating, but this system of handling it has been developed over many years to make it easier on all of us. --  k a i n a w &trade; 01:43, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

I have to agree on this as well. The links that keep coming up are not compliant with wikipedia rules. Breeder lists, and ones that promote commerical products and advertising shouldn't be on here. I just hope this can all get under control. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Hedgehogsforever (talk • contribs) 02:25, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

I believe the 4 toed hedgehog page also needs a review of the external links as to be consistent with the rest of the hedgehog section? —Preceding unsigned comment added by CThedgehogs (talk • contribs) 00:31, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

Vellux blanket material??
I am a UK resident and am not sure what Vellux blanket material is (In the Enclosures section), I am not sure if this a brand name or not? If someone who does know could maybe put a non-brand name or link on the article I think that would clarify it. --WezGG (talk) 23:45, 16 September 2008 (UTC)


 * Vellux is a brandname for a hypoallergenic blanket that has no strings. Therefore, it cannot fray and create little strings which cause two common problems: wrapping around the hedgehog's toes/legs or getting stuck in the hedgehog's digestive tract.  If you find blankets that are of a similar material and have a better name for them, please edit the article.  Vellux doesn't use any name for the material except "vellux" and I haven't found anyone who knows what else to call them. --  k a i n a w &trade; 01:58, 17 September 2008 (UTC)

illegal to own in some States
I would like to know why is is illegal in some States to own a Hedgehog. Also, in the States where it is legal to own one, why is it necessary to have a license and what kind of license is needed? Thanks. Noahlady —Preceding unsigned comment added by Noahlady (talk • contribs) 12:32, 14 April 2009 (UTC)


 * States have laws against owning exotic animals for various reasons, such as the risk of people releasing the animals into the wild and damaging the ecosystem. I know of no state which requires a license to own a hedgehog.  Licenses are required to breed hedgehogs.  Some people see hedgehogs as easy money.  Get a couple of them, plop them in a bucket, force them to breed, sell of the babies, buy a big screen TV.  Licensing is designed to make it more difficult for those kind of people to abuse the animals in that way. --  k a i n a w &trade; 13:15, 14 April 2009 (UTC)


 * Because they only live in Europe. If they were to come to US and start breeding here they could technically outcompete everything in the new system, because they are just that awesome (see: New Zealand). I don't think Kainaw is aware how hard it is to breed hedgehogs properly99.236.221.124 (talk) 00:34, 28 August 2009 (UTC)
 * Licenses are required to own a hedgehog in Arizona, Maine, New Jersey and Wyoming, from source in page Snitch ninja (talk) 02:26, 12 March 2019 (UTC)

Allergies
In "Enclosures" section, they state: "Cedar and pine bedding have wood oils that are dangerous to hedgehogs and can cause lung issues and even sores. However, aspen shavings contain no such oils and are safe for use in hedgehog enclosures."

But in "Allergies" they state: "Hedgehogs are commonly allergic to wood oils. Wood bedding should be avoided, specifically cedar. The oil found in cedar can cause severe upper respiratory problems. Pine however is widely accepted as a safe substitute."

Which is why I changed from "pine" to "aspen".

I use Aspen shaving for my rodents for the lack and/or reduction of wood particles that cause respiratory problems for smaller rodents, such as my Robo Hamsters, now deceased.

As far as I know, there are no known wood oils in Aspen, and that Pine is extremely bad for animals with wood oil allergies, such as Hedgehogs. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Iyashii (talk • contribs) 09:37, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

Nurturing of young
The gestation period is mentioned in this text, but what about the postparturitional phase? Does the ‘puppies’ drink from its mother? My question as after a month of gestation I cannot find any sign of mammary glands. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 137.215.9.20 (talk) 21:24, 23 August 2010 (UTC)

I don't know the answer to your question, but yes they do suckle their young - they wouldn't be mammals otherwise. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.174.112.67 (talk) 13:20, 26 November 2011 (UTC)


 * I've heard the term 'herd of hogglets' from several hedgehog breeders. Consider including in the article?Wq0msh (talk) 11:30, 31 August 2012 (UTC)MSWq0msh (talk) 11:30, 31 August 2012 (UTC)

House hedgehogs - where is this common?
Is the keeping of hedgehogs as house pets an American thing? I've never known anybody in Britain keep a hedgehog in this way, and it is illegal to keep European Hedgehogs as pets. It's common for people to provide supplementary feed for wild hedgehogs, but that's a completely different matter. The article ought to clarify this. Ef80 (talk) 13:41, 3 January 2011 (UTC)

I live in Britain too and do know someone with a pet hedgehog. It is an African Pygmy, and therefore presumably legal. 94.174.112.67 (talk) 13:21, 26 November 2011 (UTC)


 * Through contacts in Britain, I've been told that keeping a native (European) hedgehog is illegal. Keeping an African Pygmy hedgehog is legal. It is primarily an American practice because the hedgehogs referred to as "African Pygmy" were bred in America for the specific purpose of being domesticated. I personally do not consider them domesticated because they must be trained to interact with humans unlike other domesticated animals which tend to interact with humans naturally. -- k a i n a w &trade; 18:54, 28 November 2011 (UTC)


 * I live in Britain, and have a African Pygmy hedgehog as a pet. Our local vet said he had treated another domesticated pet hedgehog, so while they're not common pets, they're not that unusual. As for domestic meaning 'interact with humans naturally' - they probably interact as much as any other small pet, such as a guinea pig or hamster.Wq0msh (talk) 13:24, 3 September 2012 (UTC)

Terrible Article
This whole article reads like it was written by a junior high schooler for a class speech (they still retain lots of their WILD characteristics (har!)). Please, someone edit this to make readable and informative. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.0.160.128 (talk) 19:59, 28 August 2011 (UTC)


 * This is Wikipedia, the encyclopedia that anyone (including YOU) can edit. -- k a i n a w &trade; 20:03, 28 August 2011 (UTC)

Rollback
Some recent IP edits were wrong (22 deg C = 72F, not 40), and unsourced information about hedgehogs as food. If this is cited, it could be readded. I rolled these back. --RichardMills65 (talk) 03:19, 6 March 2012 (UTC)

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diseases of hedgehogs
I am a veterinary surgeon, I had my own practice in UK for many years. The most common disease I encountered in Hedgehogs in UK was liver fluke which we treated with levamasole. A useful source of information on diseases and general information about hedgehogs is The British Veterinary Association Manual of Exotic Pets. They were also introduced to New Zealand where they are considered an invasive alien species. In the small channel island of Alderny there is a rare albino or white species of Hedgehog. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.248.193.124 (talk) 17:13, 4 March 2019 (UTC)

Ancient domestication or use
Per this Reddit post, the current claim about Roman hedgehogs based on the Guinness Book of Records is very suspect. I intend to rewrite it, and have commented in some high quality sources to use. — HTGS (talk) 22:59, 26 June 2024 (UTC)

Popularity in 80s and 90s America: Richard Stubbs
The import of pet hedgehogs to America in the 90s by a man named Richard Stubbs is described in Wired, as well as the following blogs:, , and this newsletter: (cited by Wired). — HTGS (talk) 04:05, 27 June 2024 (UTC)