Description
Scientific Name: Mesechinus dauuricus
Lifespan: About 6 years
This hedgehog’s body is made up of spines, like the bodies of many hedgehogs. They curl into a ball to totally protect themselves, but their stomach and face are free of these spines. Their stomach is white, which is less common, and their main colour is brown, like other species. They are distinguished from most other hedgehogs because of their distinct coloration, which makes them more aesthetically beautiful.
There is no size difference between the sexes, and the Daurian hedgehog is between 6 and 8 inches long. These hedgehogs are typically regarded as being quite little.
Habitat
It resides in Northern Mongolia as well as the Transbaikal area of Russia, which is also referred to as Dauria. It inhabits both woodlands and steppes and lives in dens. The steppes primarily consists of scrublands and grassland plains. The Daurian hedgehog deliberately chooses rocky and scrubby terrain, possibly to provide more cover from predators.
Behavior
Due to their solitary nature, hedgehogs don’t frequently form bonds or socialize with their owners. This is advantageous if you lead a busy life, though, as these creatures don’t need a lot of engagement. You don’t have to worry about setting out additional time to snuggle as long as you have time to attend to their other needs.
It takes time for these creatures to become tamed and accustomed to humans. Before allowing human contact, they need to be handled and cared for with great tenderness. However, because their natural protective impulse is to deploy their spines, they are not prone to biting.
As Pet
Diet
The majority of hedgehog species share a diet with this one. They are mostly carnivores, and insects are their major food source. They consume a diet that is relatively heavy in protein as a result.
This species would devour a wide range of various insects in the wild, which would help to guarantee that they consume a diet that is well rounded. It is challenging to replicate this in captivity. Because of this, feeding them a diet that consists primarily of cat food is frequently the best option.
Habitat and Cage Environment
The Daurian hedgehog lives alone, as do the majority of hedgehogs. As a result, you ought to lock them up in a cage by themselves. They might clash if housed with other hedgehogs.
Despite the hedgehog’s diminutive size, your cage will need to be very substantial. The minimal minimum enclosure size is 2 feet by 4 feet. With this species, larger is always preferable and is more likely to adequately exercise them.
Yes, the kind of container matters. The walls and floor of a tank are perfect since they are sturdy and smooth. Bars shouldn’t be used to construct their habitat because they could potentially damage these small critters. In addition to hurting their feet, wire floors can also result in sores that can become infected and worsen into serious issues.
Use a lid made of tightly fitting mesh. While making sure that the hedgehog can’t escape (and nothing else can enter), you want to maximize ventilation.
Your new hedgehog should be kept in a calm, warm environment. Keep the cage free from draughts because they could cause the hedgehog to become too cold. Make sure the hedgehog has access to some form of hiding place where they can retreat if necessary. Being unable to hide can be very stressful for these shy species.
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