There are several varieties of hedgehogs, but they all tend to have some similar characteristics, like short legs, pointy noses, and short spikes.
Hedgehogs tend to be misrepresented as porcupines, but they are two distinct animals. A porcupine’s spikes are lethal and poisonous, whereas a hedgehog’s spikes are not.
You should take a hedgehog as a pet because they are beautiful and offer good company. But can all types of hedgehogs be taken as pets? Stay tuned as I ease your anxiety.
Varieties of Hedgehogs That Can Be Kept as Pets
1. Algerian Hedgehog
The Algerian hedgehog is one of the most domesticated breeds and is often used as a pet.
In ancient times, they used be domesticated by the Romans and used as pets for their spikes and meat.
These hedgehogs mostly grow to a maximum of 10 inches long.
2. Indian Long-Eared Hedgehog
The long-eared Indian hedgehog is native to Pakistan and India and is often used as a pet.
This hedgehog can handle extreme hot and cold weather conditions much better than other hedgehogs.
3. African Pigmy Hedgehog
The African pigmy hedgehog is one of the most popular types used as a pet.
They are nocturnal and like to be solitary. They are also energetic as they can cover five miles running at night.
The hedgehog is also called the four-toed hedgehog, as it only has four toes on each paw.
They feed on snails, plants, grubs, spiders, and insects.
4. Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog
The Egyptian long-eared hedgehog is another domesticated hedgehog commonly used as a pet.
This hedgehog often hibernates for short periods during winter and summer if exposed to harsh weather conditions.
They are also prone to parasites, so you should handle them with utmost care.
5. European Hedgehog
The European hedgehog is native mainly to Western Europe and is one of the hedgehogs commonly used as pets.
They are thought to live for about ten years and like to feed on earthworms, caterpillars, snails, and insects.
European hedgehogs have a brownish-black appearance and usually grow to about 10 inches.
Varieties of Hedgehogs That Can’t Be Used as Pets
1. Southern African Hedgehog
The southern African hedgehog has a unique white stripe on its head against the dark fur on its whole body.
They are primarily found in the wild in counties like Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana.
2. Hugh’s Hedgehog
Hugh’s hedgehog is native to Manchuria and central China.
The hedgehog has the unique trait of having an immense appetite, which leads it to look for food even during the daytime, a characteristic unfamiliar to other hedgehogs.
3. Desert Hedgehog
The desert hedgehog is a wild pint-sized hedgehog commonly found in the Middle East and North African deserts.
Desert hedgehogs feed on scorpions, lizards, and baby snakes.
The hedgehogs can grow to a length of about six inches.
4. Brandt’s Hedgehog
The Brandt’s hedgehog is naturally found in Yemen and Afghanistan.
It has far more prominent ears compared to most hedgehogs and has fully dark quills and fur.
The hedgehog has a unique way of reacting to danger. That is through jumping at its predators veraciously spikes-first.
5. Gaoligong Forest Hedgehog
You can find Gaoligong forest hedgehog only on Mt, Gaoligong in China. The hedgehog species are unique because they were discovered only recently, in 2018.
These hedgehogs tend to hibernate from October to April.
6. Indian Hedgehog
The Indian hedgehog bears a similar name as the Indian long-eared hedgehog that can be used as a pet, and this one can’t be domesticated or used as a pet as it’s found only in the wild.
The hedgehogs have a unique distinction of having mask-like markings on their face and small size and are commonly found in mountainous areas of Pakistan and India.
They feed on toads, small snakes, insects, and scorpions.
7. Daurian Hedgehog
The Daurian hedgehog is found in Mongolia and Russia. The species is highly valued and protected in the two countries where it is located.
Daurian hedgehogs like to feed on small reptiles, bird eggs, and nestlings. They are also so introverts and prefer to be alone.
The hedgehog can grow to lengths of about 6 to 8 inches.
8. Bare-Bellied Hedgehog
The bare-bellied hedgehog is found in southern India.
The exciting thing about this rare species is that they were, for a long time, thought to have become extinct until they were found.
They are now regularly found in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
9. Amur Hedgehog
The Amur hedgehog is naturally found in Korea, China, and Southern Russia. The hedge is also referred to as the Manchurian hedgehog by some people.
The hedgehogs grow to about 12 inches and are primarily pale brown.
Wrap Up
Hedgehogs are small, good-looking creatures found all over the world. However, as I have highlighted above, some species can be domesticated and used as pets, and others can’t.
Please peruse my list of hedgehog varieties so that you get to learn more about the spiky mammals.
