some questions

[Hillybean]

Okay, so I have wanted in a hedgie in the past, but the time wasn't right. I think now might be the right time.

Okay, so from what I get from reading hedgehogs can come in in two sizes pygmy, and the standard..right?

Now, are they both (standard and pygmy) priced about the same?
Are there pros or cons for either a male or a female?

I already gather a breeder should be picked over a pet shop, because of the taming part. A breeder should hold theirs more, then what any pet shop would.

Are hedgies popular in rescues?

Also should they have a pedigree?

Is there a link on here that talks about the different colors?

I still have to read up on hedgie health, and cage size requirements.

I have also seen where some breeders or byb feed cat food instead of a hedgie diet...in opinions on this?

My brother has a pygmy hedgie, and its quills lay down for him. If i try to handle her they go right up...They seem to be a personal/bonding type of animal.

Also is there a breeders list that you guys recommend?
I am currently located in Fort Wayne,IN.

Still have a research
-Hilly

 

[Kalandra]

Okay, so from what I get from reading hedgehogs can come in in two sizes pygmy, and the standard..right?

No. Pygmy was a term coined many years ago to help sell hedgehogs. Pet hedgehogs are from Africa. African hedgehogs are just that African Hedgehogs. There is a variety in sizes they can be though, and there is no way to determine what size a hedgehog will be until it grows up. I had a brother sister pair who one became a large hedgehog (650 grams) and one was smaller (296 grams). If I had to guess from when they were babies, I would have guess it to have gone the other way as the 296 gram guy was the larger as a baby.

Now, are they both (standard and pygmy) priced about the same?
Are there pros or cons for either a male or a female?

No. Each hedgehog is an individual. Which one makes the better pet will entirely depend on the hedgehog itself. Look for one that is friendly, instead of sex. The only time sex really comes into play is that boys can never be housed together and girls often can be. This is only a concern if you ever plan on having more than 1 in a cage. Do keep in mind that hedgehogs do very well as an alone pet and do not need a “friend.”

I already gather a breeder should be picked over a pet shop, because of the taming part. A breeder should hold theirs more, then what any pet shop would.

A good ethical breeder is also more concerned about producing healthy pets. Pet stores may or may not get theirs from a good source.

Are hedgies popular in rescues?

Are there rescues? Yes. Are there many… that will depend a lot on where you are located. Certain areas seem to have more rescues than others.

Also should they have a pedigree?

While nice, its not necessary unless you plan to breed. Then you need pedigrees to help you determine that genetic problems like WHS are not in their backgrounds.

Is there a link on here that talks about the different colors?

Check out Hedgehog Central’s color information. http://hedgehogcentral.com/colour.shtml

I still have to read up on hedgie health, and cage size requirements.

I have also seen where some breeders or byb feed cat food instead of a hedgie diet...in opinions on this?

If you read through this forum, you will find most of us feed high quality cat food. The majority of foods (actually I cannot think of a good stand alone “hedgehog” food) labeled for hedgehogs are made of crap ingredients or are just completely inappropriate for hedgehogs. These foods have been known to cause nutritional imbalances from hedgehogs being fed a diet of just “hedgehog food.” Read through the diet section, you’ll get a better idea of what we feed.

 

[charlie]

As for cages etc.. my favorite thread is probably this one:

http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77

It will give you a variety of ideas/suggestions and if you read through it, it weighs the pros and cons of the different types of bedding and answers various questions.

 

[Hillybean]

Thank you both so very much for the information and links.

-Hilly