Description
Scientific Name: Erinaceus concolor
Lifespan: 4 to 7 years
The European hedgehog, one of the southern white-breasted hedgehog’s relatives, resembles it. The only distinction is that southern white-breasted hedgehogs have a recognizable white patch on their bellies, as the name suggests. Due to their characteristic white patch on their chests, these hedgehogs are frequently called “white-bellied hedgehogs” or “white-chested hedgehogs.” The hedgehog’s brown skin blends in with this white patch, making a striking contrast.
A hedgehog’s skin is typically brown, but its prickly coat is covered in 5,000–6,000 spines that range in colour from brown to black to white. The majority of hedgehogs’ light brown colouring results from this.
Habitat
The Middle East and southwestern Asia are the natural habitats of southern white-breasted hedgehogs. This includes nations like Turkey, Iran, and portions of Russia. The northern white-breasted hedgehog, which is native to Eastern Europe and Russia, including Poland and Yugoslavia, shouldn’t be mistaken with these hedgehogs, but it happens frequently.
Behavior
Hedgehogs are all notably timid creatures. When confronted by a person or a larger animal, Southern white-breasted hedgehogs would either curl up into a ball or freeze in place because they are timid and easily startled.
Southern white-breasted hedgehogs don’t tend to be the friendliest of creatures towards people or other creatures of any kind. They may not be hostile, but they hardly ever show affection for their loved ones or family. They don’t develop social relationships like foxes or badgers do. They tend to be lonely creatures who only interact with one another during hibernation and mating seasons.
Although they rarely make noise, hedgehogs occasionally grunt or shriek while building their nests, looking for food, or mating. When they are young hoglets, they will squeal louder. Wild southern white-breasted hedgehogs will probably make noise if they are captured.
As Pet
Cage and Bedding
Hedgehogs require a sizable, impenetrable wire cage with solid ground to prevent their short legs from being entangled in the mesh. You can buy newspaper to put in the cage or special paper-based litter created just for hedgehogs. Another option is to teach the hedgehog to use a litter box like a cat by being persistent and patient.
The hedgehog requires a wheel to stay active at night because it is a nocturnal animal. Because the sound of the wheel can occasionally irritate some ears, it’s crucial to carefully select the location for the cage (do not put it in your bedroom if you have trouble falling asleep!).
Habitat Temperature
The cage ought to be put in a dimly lit, calm section of the house. Keep the surrounding temperature between 75°F and 84°F. If you reside in a colder climate, you can use a heating mat or even a heat lamp to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Feeding
Being omnivorous, hedgehogs spend the most of their time foraging on the ground. They have an extremely diverse diet. A diet consisting of specially made pellets, a few mealworms or crickets, and a few pieces of fruit or vegetables as treats from time to time is advised by PetMD.
Be warned, though, that Southern White-Breasted Hedgehogs maintained as pets still don’t know their specific nutritional requirements, therefore this diet is best suited for African Pygmy Hedgehogs.
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