The African pygmy hedgehog is a hybrid of the four toed hedgehog and the Algerian hedgehog. It is the most popular species of domesticated hedgehog in the world and a very desirable pet!
Where do African pygmy hedgehogs come from?
In the wild, African pygmy hedgehogs can be found across the steppes, grasslands and savanna of West, central and East Africa.
What is the African Pygmy hedgehog’s natural habitat like?
The African pygmy hedgehogs are a very active species and travel large distances in the wild. So in captivity they need plenty of room to move around.
How long do African pygmy hedgehogs live?
Up until around 40 years ago, people didn’t tend to keep hedgehogs as pets. Domesticating hedgehogs and keeping them as pets began as recently as the 1980’s. The
lifespan of the African pygmy hedgehog is around two to three years in the wild, or as many as ten years in captivity.
What do African pygmy hedgehogs eat?
In the wild, African pygmy hedgehogs are natural omnivores, meaning they mostly eat small invertebrates like earthworms, spiders and other insects, as well as plants.
In captivity, live insect food is an important part of the African pygmy hedgehogs diet – allowing them to continue with their natural foraging and hunting behaviour – but their diet can also be supplemented with specialist hedgehog food.