African pygmy hedgehogs do not live in Africa! It is impossible to meet this animal in the wild. This unusual breed is a hybrid breed bred specifically for keeping at home and is an artificial subspecies of the wild white-bellied African hedgehog.

In recent years, these amazing hedgehogs have gained great popularity among lovers of exotic animals. The cutest creatures have not only a funny appearance, but also a friendly character. They do not hibernate as regular hedgehogs and have proven to be excellent pets.

The African pygmy hedgehog is quite small. The weight of an adult animal usually does not exceed 500-600 grams, and its body length is up to 20-25 cm. The back, sides and head of the hedgehog are covered with short sand or black and white needles. They can be in different colors. Among others, there are dark with small light stripes, chocolate, sand and even red species.

When the hedgehog is relaxed and calm, its spines lie along the body and do not prick. You can safely pick up a domestic hedgehog without being injured. If the hedgehog is frightened, it strains its muscles and raises its needles at different angles.

This tiny hedgehog, despite its small size, is a very voracious animal. It is an omnivore and can eat an amount of food, which reaches up to a third of its weight. The hedgehog eats small insects and all invertebrates, including slugs, snails, and earthworms. At home, these animals are fed with special food.

Before getting such an unusual pet, you need to understand that the hedgehog is a night hunter. All of its main activity occurs at night. During the day, these animals usually sleep and do not like to be disturbed.

With proper care in captivity, these little animals can live up to 7-8 years.