Meet Fred, my African Pygmy hedgehog.

[luther]

Meet Frank, my African Pygmy hedgehog.

He's about six months old now. Like watching telly and pulling the carpet to bits. Interested in our cats, who run when he gets close.

Cutest mammal in the world.

 

[KingBollock]

That is fantastic.
My wife is insisting that I ask you where you got it and how much? She's always had a thing for Hedgehogs.

 

[luther]

He was from a place in Wakefield called Capricorn Connection. They're a bit rare in the trade still, but if you let them know you want one it wont be long before the existing pairs breed and one becomes available. They can breed twice yearly, live for 3-5 years and are soooooooo cute. Right now they sell for about £100 a go.

They are solitary by nature, so getting just one is fine. They are insectivores, but seem happy with a mix of superworms, locusts and dry cat food. You can supliment small amounts of fruit too, according to the individual tastes of the hedgehog. Fred lives in our lounge in a large viv with a heat mat, shelter and large wheel.

Very easy to keep, friendly, unusual and sooooooo cute.

 

[KingBollock]

I've been doing a little research since I asked and it all looks good until I got to the pricetag/longevity part. I wouldn't mind the pricetag so much if they lived longer.

 

[BlkCat]

I used to breed them. I had to stop. It would break my heart when I would ck on the mother and she had eaten one or 2 of the babies. I sold all my females. I kept my male. He lived 5 years. He had gotten cancer and died in my arms a month later.
I will never have another. There is no way to replace him.

 

[luther]

BlkCat, all living things die in the end. I'm pretty comfortable with that.

I know enough to leave the females undisturbed to minimize the number of babies eaten under stress.

I've now got a lovely female, a little younger than Frank, called Victoria. My kids named them by the way. We're expecting our first litter within May. I'll announce them here as soon as I hear them and take photos when its safe.

 

[luther]

First litter now past the 1 week mark and heading for 2 weeks. I think there are 4 babies, but I've not opened the hide box to count them for fear of upsetting the mother. One seems to have white spines, while the others have all darkened. Very hard to see though the hide box entrance. Frank seems very proud.

Pictures to follow within the week. Prepare to be cuted out!

 

[luther]

Now if that isn't cute I dont know what is! Just over the 3 week mark. One blonde and 2 salt and pepper babies. Babies and parents all happy and healthy.

 

[Anthony]

Those are a really different and attractive pet.

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

Those are adorable!! But id have to say THIS is the cutest animal on the face of the ear

 

[GQ.]

luther,

Very interesting animals! I made the mistake of showing your photos to my daughter. Now I have to spend the next couple of weeks explaining why we don't need hedgehog. Best of luck with all of them!

WhyTeDraGon,

But id have to say THIS is the cutest animal on the face of the ear

I don't know about cutest on the face of the ear, but they are pretty dang cute!

 

[Hoosier]

Is that a sugar glider whytedragon? That thing IS cute!

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

It's a flying squirrel

 

[mimic58]

So cute an yet so damn prickly :wall:

 

[Wikkids_Wench]

Awwwww *has huge girly fit over small cute things then slaps self and goes back to work...*

 

[versimomma]

Lee at the spider shop breeds them

www.thespidershop.co.uk

email him

 

[luther]

If you Google search them you'll find a few UK breeders.

WhyTeDraGon, that is certainly stiff competition for the cuteness trophy. It looks like you have Photoshop'd the eyes! Nice.

 

[Psoulocybe]

This is a sugar glider, and this is the cutest girl ever!!!!!!

 

[luther]

OK, racking up some seriously cute contenders here.

Try this... almost 5 weeks old, female.

 

[luther]

Ok, how about this one... 6 week old white male (being handled by my daughter Phoenix). Close up shot follows (without glamourous assistant).