They are very stressed by captivity and many or even most wild animals waste away and die in captivity. You can use clay litter, which is readily accepted by hedgehogs, but can cause dust, or you can consider a pelleted, cat litter to cut down dust, although hedgehogs don't accept it as well. They also grow to be several pounds. Alternatively, place a heat lamp over the cage. A pet hedgehog can also be kept in a suitable cage that is placed in a room at the right temperature range. It might be difficult … It is never okay to take ANY animal from the wild and keep it as a pet. Not only is it illegal to remove an animal from the wild and keep it, wild animals often carry parasites or other illnesses, plus keeping a wild animal captive is cruel. Where Do Hedgehogs Live? Wild hedgehogs are native to Africa, Asia, Europe, and New Zealand. That is reason enough. Another popular pet that is legal in many states is the hedgehog. They live for about four to six years and eat mostly dry food. Just because a a wild animal is caged or restrained does not make it a pet. While they can make terrific pets in the right circumstances, they are not right for everyone. Also, they are small and should not roam around houses, greeting guests … They are shy, love to run at night, and also are nocturnal. So before having a hedgehog, you must know about “hedgehog as pets.” Hedgehogs Diet As they eat a lot of things in the wild. They should be allowed to be wild solely for that reason. Before you rush out and get a hedgehog, learn as much about them as possible to make sure these interesting creatures are right for you. Hedgehogs are crazy pet animals. What you need to know about Hedgehogs as pets First of all, there is a dire need to understand that hedgehogs are not suited to homes the way other pets such as bunnies or dogs and cats are. If you opt to litter train your hedgehog, you'll need to make sure there's enough room for the litter pan, which should be at least 2"D x 6" x 9". This cage from Heritage Pet Products is … Hedgehogs are cute nocturnal mammals easily recognized by their quills which, unlike those on a porcupine, do not readily detach from their bodies.. You can keep hedgehogs as pets, but it's important to learn about these nocturnal, solitary creatures before adopting one. You can buy a specially prepared hedgehog food mix from some larger pet stores, but this is not available in all areas. The wild Eurasian hedgehogs of the UK, in particular, have been in steep decline dor several decades now. Nevertheless, the quills can still penetrate skin and hedgehogs can transmit diseases such as ringworm and salmonella to humans. Or, you can keep it warm with a small animal heat pad where his or her Hidy house is. Wild hedgehogs can grow to be up to a foot or more in size as adults – which is still smaller than many cats and dogs, but can be a bit difficult to handle. 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