Hedgehogs

[shell1]

might seem like a wierd question!!does anybody own a hedgehog as a pet or know any body that does?

[andy-hughes]

I don't think they would make particvularly good pets - hedgehogs like to roam a lot to find food, and partners in the mating season. They also come infested with fleas, which are really difficult to get rid of.

Best leave them in the wild where they belong.

[B00]

Can't imagine cuddling one would be a whole lot of fun either.

[shell1]

thanks!!im doin an animal care course nd we av to do a project on a small species!our lecturer said that they are becoming popular pets in america?i cant see how they would make good pets either but i thought they would be interesting to do a project on besides cats or dogs or other typical small pets.

[kath99]

In the UK it is illegal to keep wild animals as pets. If you are in the US, well good luck, as I think that it would be difficult to properly "tame" or "train" hedgehogs - they have wild behaviour too ingrained to change much. Think of the way dogs and cats have been "domesticated" and think that hedgehogs haven't been domesticated - it will simply not respond to you in the way you would expect from a domestic pet. Therefore it probably wouldn't be much fun to keep after kittenhood.

[kath99]

Sorry, I meant to say if you fancy something different, how about keeping a ferret? I have read loads about them making excellent house pets if you know how to treat them. Of course in the UK we often use them for rabbiting not as pets! I think the males can be a bit smelly though :-)