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If you want to own an exotic and extremely unique-looking pet that does not require much care like cats and dogs. A hedgehog might be the pet you are looking for. In this article, I am going to tell you about the hedgehog price in India, its Pros and Cons, caring guidelines and Much more. So please keep reading to know more about this cute spike ball!!
Hedgehog Price in India
The average African pygmy Hedgehog price in India ranges between 10,000 – 25,000 -/Rs. Hedgehog prices may differ depending on gender, breeder, place, availability in your area, etc.Â
About Hedgehog Breed
Appearance-
A hedgehog is very easy to identify as it has an extremely unique feature. Personally, It looks like a rat with spikes on the back. It has a long snout. Its body is very low to the ground and has small powerful legs. Hedgehogs can be found in white, light brown or black colour.
Life span and size-
The average lifespan of a Hedgehog is around 5-6 years. But there are some cases where the hedgehog has lived upto 10 years but it is extremely rare. And they are 5 to 8 inches long.
Temperament-Â
Hedgehogs are antisocial and generally calm in nature. They love to be left alone. When feeling threatened or afraid they might get curled into a ball. As they are nocturnal they sleep during the day and are active during the night.
Intelligence and trainability-
They are intelligent and can be potty trained however, it is not guaranteed that all hedgehogs can be potty trained successfully. They are trainable and you can teach them a few basic tricks by using positive reinforcement techniques that we commonly use for cats and dogs to train. But you have to be gentle and patient while training them as they are nervous and antisocial in nature, if you frightened them it might take more time to form a bond.Â
Health problems –
Hedgehogs can get ill and can develop diseases like respiratory disease(pneumonia), internal or external infection, WHS (wobbly hedgehog syndrome), can get gastrointestinal issues, etc.
If you see any type of symptoms like your hedgehog is breathing heavy, loose stool, runny nose, is not active at all or you feel something is not right with your hedgehog, then immediately consult an exotic vet as soon as possible so that if it has any health issues it can be cured at an early stage.
Caring Tips for Hedgehog
Cage-
 Choosing an appropriate cage is essential as your hedgehog will live most of its life there. Don’t buy a mesh cage as their foot might get injured instead buy an aquarium which is approx 2 feet in height and 3 to 4 feet in width. The bigger the cage better is for the hedgehog.
Bedding-Â
It is also important for breeding you can place shredded newspaper, Cloth cage liners or wood shaving like an aspen. I recommend going to have wood shaving as the wood shavings are easy to clean. And it is a slightly more natural option for hedgie.
Hiding place-
It is important to have a hiding place/enclosure as the hedgehog can hide in them when they want to sleep or rest. They want some hiding place where they can sleep and feel secure. You can make a hiding enclosure using cardboard boxes, sleeping hedgehog sacks or blankets or can buy the hiding enclosures from the pet store or online.
Temperature-
The ideal temperature in the enclosure for the hedgehog is between 24- 29 deg celsius. The temperature should not go below 24 deg celsius as this can lead to hibernation and can even die. So, if you live in a colder place where the temperature can go below 24 deg celsius you can use a heating lamp or heating pad to maintain the ideal temperature in the enclosure and always remember temperature should not go above 29 deg celsius. you can use a thermostat to measure the temperature of the enclosure.
Feeding-
You can give them almost all types of veggies like beans, carrots, tomatoes, etc. And various fruits(remove all the seeds) like bananas, berries, pumpkins, melons, etc. You should avoid avocados and grapes at all costs as they can be toxic for your hedgehog. You can also give commercial hedgehog pellets or can give high-quality adult cat food. And can also include some insects like mealworms, and grasshoppers in their diet to give them some extra protein. Feeding them once or twice a day is more than enough. Do not overfeed your hedgehog as they are prone to getting fat.
Hamster wheel-
It is important to install a hamster wheel in your Hedgehog’s enclosure so they can run in them (mainly Hedgehog runs on the wheel at night). As it is important to have some exercise otherwise they might get obese. Make sure you do not choose a mesh wheel as their legs might get stuck and can get injured. Buy a plastic hamster wheel. And do not buy a small wheel get a wheel which is at least 12 inches in diameter.
Cleaning-
Handling and bonding-
Whenever you bring a hedgehog for the first time to your house put them in its enclosure and let them settle in its new home for a couple of weeks during that course feed them with your hand. After 2 weeks, try to gently touch and pick your hand, don’t force them they might become a ball and may point the spikes at first. But, as time goes they will bond with you just remember to be gentle and patient and you can form a strong bond in no time.
Also, Read- Guinea Pig Price in India- Ultimate Guide
Pros and Cons
Pros-
- They are easy to take care of.
- Hedgehogs are cute and adorable creatures.
- Hedgehogs are unique exotic pets to have.
- Hedgehogs are generally quiet.
- Does not require spending a lot of time with them as they like to be left alone so spending 1 hr a day.
Cons-
- As they are active at night you may get disturbed by their noises.
- They have a short life span and it sucks for pet lovers as we want our pets to live as long as possible.
- They are prone to getting diseases.
Also, Read- Sugar glider Price in India 2022
FAQ
1. Is it legal to own a hedgehog in India? Is the African pygmy hedgehog legal in India?
Yes, Hedgehogs are legal to own however, make sure you do not buy an Indian hedge as all the animals or creatures native to India are illegal to own. Instead, you can go for African pygmy hedgehogs which are perfectly fine to own as pets in India.
2. Where can I get a hedgehog in India?
 Although Hedgehog is not very common in India. However, they are available in India, you might find hedgehogs in exotic pet shops(which you can find online ) or find exotic pet breeders in your area. You can find hedgehogs in India with no difficulty.
3. What is the price of a hedgehog in India?
4. How long do baby hedgehogs stay with their mother?
Baby hedgehogs can stay with their mother for up to 5 or 6 weeks, sometimes even up to 9- 10 weeks, but it is not common.
5. Are hedgehogs endangered?Â
No, they are an endangered species and are considered to be the least concern species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
6. What are hedgehog babies called?
Hedgehog babies are called hoglets which is quite adorable.
Final Thoughts
In this article Hedgehog price in India 2022, we can conclude that hedgehogs are unique and cute pets to have but if you want a pet that plays or interact with you then a hedgehog might be not the right pet for you. You can go for cats or dogs instead. But, if you want to own a hedgehog go for it take proper care of them and make their short life happy. You can follow our caring tips mentioned above. Thank you for reading hope you found it helpful !!