Hedgehog Flashcards
Which have barbed quills, porcupines or hedge hogs:
Porcuppine
How many spines can be on a hedgehog?
5000-7000
What are the 2 muscles that can allow hedgehogs to roll into a ball?
Panniculus carnosus and circular orbicularis
What is the scientific name for the African Hedgehog?
Atelerix albiventris
What do hedgehogs eat?
Insects, earthworms, slugs and snails
Which kind of hedgehog is usually ill if active during the day?
European hedgehog
Do hedgehogs normally live alone or with each other?
Alone
How do you reduce the likelihood of aggression amongst hedgehogs?
Provide plenty of space, have multiple feeding stations, shelters and water bowls
What is self anointing, or “anting” in hedgehogs?
Hedgehog will produce copious amounts of foamy saliva and then slather it on their spines
When do male and female hedgehogs reach puberty?
Male: 8 months-1 yr
Female: 8-9 months
What is the hedgehog gestation?
4-5 week, 2 litters a year (spring and late summer)
When do hedgehogs wean?
40-44 days
When do hedgehogs open their eyes and ears?
12-15 days
How can you restrain the hedgehog before it rolls into a ball?
Scruff
Hedgehogs huff and hiss when threatened which can be mistaken for:
a URI
What is a normal rectal temperature of hedgehogs?
95.2
When hibernating, hedgehogs can be apneic for how long?
Up to 1 hour
Which kind of dog/cat food should not be given to hedgehogs and why?
Gravy, because they become addicted to it and won’t eat anything else
How can you coax a hedgehog to unroll?
Hold facedown over the table or place in shallow warm bowl of water
Orphaned hedgehogs should be raised on which milk?
Goat milk
If hedgehogs are ignored and not fed when it is colder, what will they do?
Hibernate
How are hedgehog babies born?
Altricial
SQ Injections should be given where in the hedgehog?
Laterally to avoid the fat pad underneath the dorsal spines
Where is the hedgehogs penile opening located?
Centrally
Hedgehogs should not receive which preanesthetic?
Atropine
An obese hedgehog with anorexia, icterus, lethargy and diarrhea probably has what?
Hepatic lipidosis
What vessel is used primarily for blood draw in hedgehogs?
Jugular
