Pet African pygmy hedgehogs: what they are like and where they are restricted

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African pygmy hedgehogs are small, spiny and undeniably charming on social media. In reality they are solitary, nocturnal animals with demanding temperature and diet needs, and in some places it is illegal to keep them at all. This guide covers what owning one is actually like and why you must check the law where you live first.

What they are

The pet hedgehog usually sold as an African pygmy hedgehog is not the hedgehog found in European gardens. It is a domesticated hybrid descended from African species, smaller than a European hedgehog and adapted to warm conditions. Wild European hedgehogs are protected wildlife and are not pets.

What they are like to live with

Nocturnal: they sleep for most of the day and are active at night, often running on a wheel for hours. If you want a pet to interact with during the day, a hedgehog will disappoint you.
Solitary: adults should be housed alone. Putting two together often leads to fighting.
Shy and defensive: a nervous hedgehog raises its spines, huffs, pops and rolls into a ball. Many become relaxed with patient, regular handling, but some never enjoy being held.
Self-anointing: when they meet a new smell, they may froth at the mouth and spread saliva over their spines. It looks alarming but is normal behaviour.
Lifespan: estimates vary, but a few years is typical, often given as somewhere between three and six, with some living longer.

What they need

A large, secure enclosure with a solid floor and good ventilation
A solid-surfaced exercise wheel
A steady warm temperature, which usually means supplementary heating with a thermostat
A hedgehog-appropriate diet, with insects as treats, and careful portion control because they gain weight easily
Daily handling and attention, at night
Access to a vet with exotics experience

Where they are restricted

Laws change, and they vary by country, state, province and even city, so treat this as a starting point only and check the current law with your local authority before you buy or adopt.

United States: at the time of writing, keeping pet hedgehogs has been reported as illegal in places including California, Hawaii, Georgia, Washington DC and New York City, and other states or cities may require a permit or have their own rules. Some local ordinances differ from state law, so check both.
Australia: African pygmy hedgehogs are not permitted as pets. In Victoria, for example, they are classed as a prohibited pest animal.
United Kingdom: they can be kept legally, but the RSPCA has warned that they are not easy pets and their needs are often not met.
Elsewhere: rules differ widely. Some countries restrict import, keeping or breeding, or require a licence.

The reasons for restrictions include the risk of a non-native species establishing in the wild and the potential for disease spread. If you move house, check the law at your new address too, including any rules in your tenancy.

Before you commit

Can you keep a room reliably warm, day and night, all year?
Are you awake when your pet will be, at least some of the time?
Is there an exotics vet within reach, and can you afford their fees?
Are you comfortable keeping and handling live insects?

Finding one responsibly

If it is legal where you live, consider a rescue first, as unwanted hedgehogs do turn up. If buying, look for a breeder who keeps health records, is open about any history of illness in their lines, and will take the animal back if your circumstances change. Do you keep a pet hedgehog, or are you thinking about it? Share what it is really like, or ask about the rules where you live, in the comments.