Buy a Hedgehog

Health and personality should be your two main factors in determining which hedgehog to buy. Though hedgehogs are good at hiding illnesses, there are several signs you should look out for when you’re going to buy your new pet.

 

European vs. African Hedgehogs

The majority of hedgehogs bred in North America are African pygmy hedgehogs, which are themselves a hybrid of two wild African species - the 4-toed or white-bellied hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) and the Algerian hedgehog (Atelerix algirus).

As the name pygmy would suggest, these animals are on the small side, typically weighing 300-700 grams and measuring 6-9 inches in length. Though many color variations are possible, the traditional coloration is a white-furred belly with black and white banded quills.