Hedgehogs are omnivores. They mainly live by preying on various invertebrates and small vertebrates, as well as grass roots, fruits, melons and other plants in the wild. Family feeding can be self-prepared feed, with meat offal, grain and by-products, green vegetables, etc., in proportion. In addition to the above methods, how can we keep African miniature hedgehogs?

African Mini Hedgehog

1. Purchase

Check whether the hedgehog is healthy, look at the gloss of the thorns, and see whether the body is plump, Third, look at the tightness of the thorns.

2. Habits of life

Cowardly, timid, easily startled, happy with quiet and tired of trouble, fond of the dark and afraid of light. Slow action, generally nocturnal. Small appetite, not picky about food, not easy to get sick.

3. Breeding environment

Hedgehogs are very adaptable and not strict with the environment. However, hedgehogs have the habit of being quiet and afraid of light, and they are nocturnal and nocturnal. It is best to choose a quiet place with less human interference for family breeding. Families with courtyards are best kept in the yard, and those without conditions can be kept on the balcony. Use an 80 cm square wooden box to build a nest for hedgehogs, and cover the nest with hay, pine leaves or straw. Outside the nest, it is best to build a small mound or rockery with stones and soil, and plant flowers and plants to make it as close to the wild environment as possible for hedgehog activities.

4. Feeding habits

Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, and they can be fed with feed and water before and after the evening. Hedgehogs are omnivores, and in the wild they mainly live by preying on various invertebrates and small vertebrates, as well as grass roots, fruits, melons and other plants. Family feeding can be self-prepared feed, with meat offal, grain and by-products, green vegetables, etc., in proportion. In addition, caterpillars, beetles, snails, earthworms and other small animals and fruits can also be fed.

For artificial domestication of hedgehogs just caught in the wild, animal feed should account for 80% of the food, which can be gradually reduced in the future to increase the proportion of plant food. The feed to be fed must be fresh and clean, and the fruits and vegetables should be washed and fed. For example, the melons and vegetables bought from the market should be soaked in the pool for 1 hour, and then washed and fed to prevent pesticide poisoning. At the same time, the feed should be variety diverse, and a single feed will cause hedgehogs to bite each other and refuse to feed.

5. Breeding

Domestic hedgehogs should have one male and one female in the same litter, usually mating naturally in estrus from April to May, and produce 1-2 litters per year. Hedgehogs are fertile at 2-4 years old. The female hedgehog is restless during estrus, with secretions from the genitals. The gestation period is about 60 days, and each litter produces 3-6 litters, with a maximum of 8. Hedgehogs gain weight 35 days after fertilization, slow movement after 45 days, mild perineal edema, and seek grass to make a nest before giving birth. The newly born hedgehog has soft spines and no hair. After about 20 hours, the soft spines stand up and make a squeak sound. The newborn weighs 13-15g. The soft spines of the young hedgehog become hard and gradually increase after 3 days of birth. At the age of 10, the eyes are opened. At the age of 20, the teeth grow and can walk. At the age of 30, they can eat. The lactation period is 40-50 days. The average weight of a 3-month-old hedgehog can reach 320-350g, and the average monthly weight gain is about 100g. The period of lactation and the 100 days after breastfeeding is the fastest growing stage of the hedgehog, so it should be carefully looked after.

6. Diseases

Hedgehogs have strong adaptability, fewer diseases, and no infectious diseases. As long as proper feeding, management and hygiene measures are taken, hedgehogs are rare sick. Hedgehog's common diseases are mainly gastroenteritis, dermatitis, parasites, etc., which can generally be treated with pets corresponding drugs.

The hedgehog suffering from gastroenteritis has dull thorns, weak walking, diarrhea, and refusal to eat. It can reduce the amount of feed and feed pet-specific probiotics. Pet medicine can also be injected, each time the buttocks can be injected intramuscularly. Hedgehogs suffering from psoriasis, peeling off scaling skin, can apply tinea ointment, comfortable and so on.

Hedgehogs suffering from ascariasis, loss of appetite, drowsiness and weakness, can be fed with special deworming medicines for pets. Hedgehogs who are not suffering from ascariasis should also be dewormed twice a year to ensure the healthy growth of hedgehogs and improve fertility.

The editor reminds you that if your hedgehogs are African miniature thorns, don't let them hibernate. This breed will be life-threatening if it hibernates, so hot water bottles and electric blankets in winter are African. A must-have item for mini thorns, don't neglect the work of keeping warm.