Four to six years is a normal life span, but a pet hedgehog can live up to ten years. Once in a while, the hedgehog has to be sprayed and neutered to protect its internal organs, especially the reproductive system from tumors and diseases. Wild hedgehogs have been living in Africa forever but only in recent years have they been kept as pets. Life Expectancy: 3 to 6 years in captivity African Pygmy Hedgehog Behavior and Temperament Active mostly at night, these creatures are a good pet for someone who has a 9-to-5 job. Hedgehog Cage Requirements Hedgehog Lifespan Institutions Using Our Products Instructions on Breeding Mealworms Introducing a New Diet Is it Legal to Own a Hedgehog in My State? Hedgehogs Are Territorial Animals. The average Hedgehog Lifespan is 38.5 months as of July 27, 2005.” (Graesser) Ideally, hedgehogs will live 5-7 years but the study mentioned above indicates the average pet lives less than the ideal life span. Hedgehog Lifespan – How long do pet hedgehogs live? There are some places where it is illegal to own a pet hedgehog altogether and some where you are only allowed to have a specific kind or with a permit. They are solitary animals that do not crave human interaction or cuddling. Some hedgehogs do live longer but generally at around the age of 3, cancers are common, affecting the mouth, digestive tract including the stomach. Pet hedgehogs are unique animals so they also make unique pets. This is mostly due to all of the benefits of living in captivity – essentially, the opposite of all of the challenges that wild hedgehogs face. Many factors contribute to the overall health, well-being and life expectancy of a hedgehog. Maintain a temperature of between 75 – 80 °F and place the cage where the hedgehog can experience day and night, even though they’re nocturnal. Not only do they eat a very different type of food when compared to other pocket pets, but they are covered with tiny little spikes and roll into balls when scared. That diet can be challenging to recreate in captivity. The hedgehog will lose a few spines here and there and it’s common. Hedgehog Lifespan – How long do pet hedgehogs live. Hamsters. To ensure your hedgehog lives the longest life possible, there are certain elements that could affect that outcome. How old would they be if they were humans? And of course, hedgehog life span is not the easiest thing to talk about – no one wants to think about their pets dying. African pygmy hedgehogs (also known as the white-bellied or four-toed hedgehog) are growing in popularity and are sometimes wrongly portrayed and misunderstood as making suitable domesticated pets. On average, wild hedgehogs tend to live between 2 and 3 years, while hedgehogs in captivity usually live between 3 and 6 years.This number can vary greatly, though, depending on factors such as type of hedgehog, family history, daily care, and a little bit of luck.. As the owner of a hedgehog, it makes sense that you'd want to know the lifespan of your pet. These little critters, like mice, are easy to care for and have an average lifespan of 2 to 3 … Hedgehog Feeding So don’t think of this as a morbid subject. It's so soothing and therapeutic. Hedgehogs are adorable little insect eating mammals that live, on average, 4-7 years when kept as pets. Try to get the hedgehog to be as comfortable as they can with you. Hence, they have a reduced lifespan of only two to three years. Raise your own Hedgehog on your smartphone. A pet’s health can easily deteriorate and before you know it, it’s gone. Pet pygmy enjoy plenty of foods such as beans, meat, chicken, fruits, and vegetables like peas, insects like mealworms, and crickets, among other foods. Pet hedgehogs have an average life span of four to six years and weigh about a pound. Many species of wild hedgehogs are said to hibernate. Hedgehog Quills – What are Hedgehog Spikes For? A wild hedgehog is exposed to predators and has a higher risk of diseases as well as injuries compared to a pet hedgehog. It is known that animals like foxes and badgers are the main predators of hedgehogs, and it has been reported that this is the main cause of the decrease in the number of hedgehogs in the UK. For all animals, there are two scenarios whereby you can look into their livelihood; in the wild vs in captivity. You can buy a specially prepared hedgehog food mix from some larger pet stores, but this is not available in all areas. But here it is: Pet hedgehogs live for between 5 and 8 years. Most North American pet hedgehogs,typically called African pygmy hedgehogs,were bredfrom African species and are considered domesticated. There have been cases where pet hedgehogs have reached the 8-10 year range, but that’s rather uncommon. This factor should play the first hand in ensuring you’re getting your money’s worth. There are many things that can affect the lifespan of your pet hedgehog, including the diet, bedding, quality of life, health/illness & stress level. There are no hedgehogs native to the US, they are only kept as pets in other parts of the world including the UK and other parts of Europe, Middle East and Africa, a lot of hedgehogs live in the wild – a lot more than pet hedgehogs. You’ll need to give your hedgie time to forage to gain this advantage as well. The overall wellbeing of your pet is also very important. These hedgehogs have a lifespan of around 4-6 years but can live to be as old as 10. The Average Lifespan Of A Pet Hedgehog Is 4 To 6 Years Most pet hedgehogs will live between 4 to 6 years of age, but they can live as long as 10 years. Temperature control is also vital for African pygmy. However, female hedgehogs can have the risk of health complications and early death as a result of breeding. Hedgehogs are not exactly at the top of the natural food chain. The trick is to have two bowls; for dry foods and moist foods. When you become a hedgehog owner, he/she becomes an important part of your life. Most especially for the hedgehog, they are naturally clean animals that don’t need constant bathing nor checking in on them every so often. Pet Hedgehog Lifespan. Therefore, get a pack of either live or dried insects and reward the hedgehog. FREE DOWNLOAD! ... << Back to all Pet Help & Education or Shop All Hedgehog … Slug pellets used in gardens can also have an indirect impact on the decreasing number of hedgehogs. From the Algerian hedgehog, the four-toed hedgehog, the Egyptian long-eared hedgehog, and the Indian long-eared hedgehog. Add a hide area like a box or igloo where the hedgehog can hide for safety. The length of a hedgehog’s life depends on several factors: diet, genetics, disease, veterinary care, and subjection to predators. It is difficult to ascertain with certainty the lifespan of a healthy hedgehog in the wild due to the nature of their character (shy, defensive animals who mostly prefer nocturnal foraging). Let's explore the average hedgehog lifespan as a domestic pet. Most owners will feed them a low-fat dry cat food supplemented … Sonic the hedgehog may have been all blue and cool in the Sega video games but the real animals have their own special appeal that only hedgehog lovers can understand. Hedgehogs might not even be legal in your state! You’ll need to give your hedgie time to forage to gain this advantage as well. Get a large wired cage measuring four feet tall and two feet wide with a solid base to offer feet support. So you may be wondering how old is my hedgehog in human years? Size: Five to eight inches long. When you bring home a young hedgehog as a pet, then they can live for about 4-6 years when they receive the love, care, and food that they need to maintain their physical and mental health. Hedgehogs live for 2-7 years in the wild but can live for 8-10 with optimal care as pets. It is a solitary animal and should live alone. When you become a hedgehog owner, he/she becomes an important part of your life. While pondering whether to commit to giving a hedgehog their forever home, it's completely natural to wonder how long do hedgehogs live. It is also an improvement on the lifespan of wild hedgehogs, which is typically about 2 years. Name: African pygmy hedgehog. Cute, quiet and surprisingly popular, hedgehogs make a great pet for the right family. Since hedgehog pets were not common in the past, there are different reports related to their life span when they are kept as pets. Healthy pet hedgehogs without any major health issues should live up to between 5 and 8 years. A safe, secure, and comfortable habitat is equally essential. Pet hedgehogs have an average life span of four to six years and weigh about a pound. Over one million downloads worldwide! Try tunnels, ramps, ledges, PVC pipes, and tubing, chew toys, and balls. pinterest.com. Get the hedgehog as much protein content as you can to keep it strong and energized. Wild hedgehogs have been living in Africa forever but only in recent years have they been kept as pets. With the four points above, you have provided the pet with all the essentials needs it requires to thrive. Bathe the pet every so often particularly its quills where dirt and debris are easily lodged. Adult size. While pondering whether to commit to giving a hedgehog their forever home, it's completely natural to wonder how long do hedgehogs live. Estimates vary, but African Pygmy Hedgehogs have an expected life span between 3-8 years, with the average around the lower end of that estimate, at 3-5 years. But the reality is that they will never become humans so is it really all that relevant? Hedgehogs that aren’t domesticated risk death by injury, poachers, and extreme weather conditions. In the wild, hedgehogs forage for food during the time when they are awake, eating a selection of slugs, snails and insects. We have heard of a hedgehog that has lived for 16 years – a male hedgehog in Denmark. Lifespan: … … There are many things that can affect the lifespan of your pet hedgehog, including the diet, bedding, quality of life, health/illness & stress level. Domesticated hedgehogs that are kept as pets have both higher average and total/extreme lifespans. On: September 23, 2019. Up to 10 years, but average may be 4-6 years. A hedgehog’s lifespan is around 3-5 years on average when kept as pets. Hedgehogs can get numerous health issues including dental disease, skin problems from an infestation of mite and live, tumors, among other health concerns. Typically, pet hedgehogs live between 3-6 years, although the averages can span anywhere between 2-8 years. Pet hedgehogs live longer than those in the wild in general. Watch how cute your Hedgehog moves. Some variables that affect the longevity of a pet hedgehog’s life are stress level, diet, disease/illness, genetics, quality of life, exercise, and veterinary care. Furthermore, if they are in bad condition, for example, go without food, this can decrease massively. Hedgehogs that aren’t domesticated risk death by injury, poachers, and extreme weather conditions. Hedgehogs are nocturnal and so eat at night, and the best time to feed them is just before you go to bed. It's real easy to raise your own pet in this game!! Six to 9 inches long with a weight of 9-19 ounces. Let's explore the average hedgehog lifespan as a domestic pet. Fortunately, there are many cages of adequate size available for reasonable prices. Yet another crucial factor that can tremendously affect the lifespan of your hedgehog. [Instructions] This is a virtual pet app where you can raise your very own Hedgehog on your smartphone. The most prevalent species is the four-toed hedgehog also known as the African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). Do Hedgehogs Make Good Pets? Any pet lover (or parent even) can relate to the attachment that is formed with another living creature. Unlike dogs & humans, there are no differences in life expectancies between male and female hedgehogs. Owning an illegal animal is a terrible idea. Last but not least, water. Annual checkups are also recommended for teeth cleaning and prevention of dental problems. You can also add the cages to offer the hedgehog more space to play. The average lifespan for African pygmy hedgehogs in captivity runs from 4-6 years, with some living as long as 8 years. 2019-09-23. Hedgehogs have a long lifespan for their size. Trim their long, sharp, and dirty nails as much as you can. In the wild, hedgehogs live to be around 2-3 years old. Here are some tips to ensure the pet is as comfortable as it can be. One of the dangers out there for hedgehogs is busy roads. Unlike other “pocket pets” like rats or bunnies, hedgehogs are … It is difficult to ascertain with certainty the lifespan of a healthy hedgehog in the wild due to the nature of their character (shy, defensive animals who mostly prefer nocturnal foraging). From the Algerian hedgehog, the four-toed hedgehog, the Egyptian long-eared hedgehog, and the Indian long-eared hedgehog. Having a Hedgehogs Pet. The same experts say that a 5-year-old hedgehog is like a 75-year-old human. However, it is good to know that these cases are very rare. Any pet lover (or parent even) can relate to the attachment that is formed with another living creature. However, when the number rapidly increases, that’s a medical concern as it more often than not signifies your pet has parasitic infestations and you need to visit the vet as soon as possible. This hedgehog breed grows to around 6 … In this article we talk about hedgehog life expectancy, comparing how long they live for in the wild compared to when they are kept as pets, as well as the main causes of death. By: Say Hedgehog. The agency is still investigating, but believes the pets are the likely source of the … They could live up to six or seven years as your family pet away from predators. The happier your hedgehog is, the healthier it will be, hence longer life. However, a pet hedgehog’s environmental temperature should be monitored to avoid inducing hibernation behavior. When you bring home a young hedgehog as a pet, then they can live for about 4-6 years when they receive the love, care, and food that they need to maintain their physical and mental health. Introducing the 「Hedgehog」 to this already popular game! In addition, it is believed that pollution caused by vehicles on the road can cause problems for the health of the wild hedgehogs, and therefore, indirectly having an impact on the number of wild hedgehogs. A wild hedgehog lifespan can last up to 4 – 7 years for the larger ones, some with the abundance of food and good climates, they are able to live up to a good 16 years. Whereas for the smaller species, they are able to like anywhere from 2 – 5 years in average which is comparable to the lifespan of a mouse. Pointy noses, shiny eyes and natural athletes, these nocturnal critters boast a decent lifespan of 4-7 years with proper care and socialization.