African pygmy hedgehog

African pygmy hedgehogs (also called four-toed hedgehogs, Atelerix albiventris) are small, oval-bodied animals about 210 millimetres long, weighing between 250 and 600 grams. Females are typically larger than males. They have short legs, a very short tail of around 2.5 centimetres, a long nose and small beady eyes, while the ears and whiskers are relatively large.

The back is covered in spines of 0.5 to 1.7 centimetres, longest on top of the head. Spines always have a white base and tip. Wild animals typically have brown or grey spines with white or cream tips, speckled grey body fur, brown around the muzzle and a white face, legs and underparts. Colouring can vary greatly in pets.

They are a popular small pet in various countries, kept as companions and even shown in competitive hedgehog shows.

African pygmy hedgehogs come from a wide swathe of central and eastern Africa, from Gambia and Senegal in the west to Somalia in the east, and south as far as Mozambique. They live in scattered populations in savannah, cropland, grassy areas and open woodland, and avoid dense forest and swampland. They are found as high as 2,000 metres, though they are more common in lowlands.

They have been successfully domesticated and bred in captivity. Because there is so much breeding stock in captive collections, they are rarely imported from the wild any longer.

The common name comes from the number of toes on the hind feet: unlike related hedgehogs, they typically have only four, lacking the hallux. Some individuals have a small bony lump or even a well-developed extra toe.

African pygmy hedgehogs are solitary and nocturnal. They mostly move along the ground but can climb and swim when needed. They are highly energetic, sometimes covering miles in a night in the wild. Pet owners with running wheels have claimed distances of upwards of 8 kilometres a night.

Common sounds are snorts, hisses and a quiet twittering. They can scream loudly when attacked, and males make a birdlike call during courtship.

When threatened, they tense the muscles on their back so the spines stand up, then roll into a ball protecting the limbs and head. If harassed further they twitch to jab their spines and make snuffling or grunting noises. Their spines do not detach into an attacker the way a porcupine's do.

They sometimes self-anoint: on meeting a new or strong smell, they make foam with their saliva and spread it on their spines. The purpose is poorly understood.

Lifespan in captivity is typically 4-6 years, and some have lived up to ten. In the wild they live no more than about three years.

They are generally hardy animals, though they may be vulnerable to the growth of tumours as they mature.

Hedgehogs only rarely lose quills during adulthood, and heavy quill loss is usually a warning sign about the animal's health.

In captivity, at regulated temperatures, they do not typically show the aestivation or hibernation seen in the wild.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

How long do African pygmy hedgehogs live?

In captivity the typical lifespan is 4-6 years, and some have reached ten. In the wild they live no more than about three years.

Are African pygmy hedgehogs nocturnal?

Yes. They are solitary, nocturnal animals, so they are active at night. They are highly energetic and some pets are claimed to run 8 kilometres or more in a night.

What noises do African pygmy hedgehogs make?

The most common sounds are snorts, hisses and a quiet twittering. They can scream loudly when attacked, and males make a birdlike call during courtship.

Why does my hedgehog make foam and spread it on its spines?

This is called self-anointing. It happens when they meet a new or strong smell, and they mix it with saliva and spread the foam on their spines. Its purpose is poorly understood, but it is thought to be defensive.

Do African pygmy hedgehogs shoot out their spines?

No. Their spines are not released into an attacker like a porcupine's. Heavy quill loss in an adult is usually a warning sign about health.

Are African pygmy hedgehogs legal everywhere?

Not everywhere. Several US and Canadian localities ban ownership or require special permits, possibly because some hedgehog species can carry foot and mouth disease.

They have a high tolerance for toxins and have been recorded eating scorpions and even venomous snakes in the wild.

Baby hoglets are born blind and helpless, weighing about 10 grams, with soft spines covered by a thin membrane that protects the mother. The spines stiffen within a few hours.

A litter usually has four or five hoglets, and their eyes open at fifteen days.

Females have anything from two to five pairs of teats, and males' testicles are recessed into pouches near the anus.

They are bred extensively for colour and temperament.