Hedgehogs are adorable little creatures that have managed to work their way into the hearts of many people in the last few years. However, some owners are curious as to how these animals breed. After all, a hedgehog’s spines seem like they might “complicate” the breeding process!
So, how do hedgehogs mate? How do you know if the hedgie that you’ve adopted is pregnant? These are just a few of the questions that you may have. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we provide the answers that you need to know, along with other interesting details.
Before adopting a hedgehog, please ensure that it is legal to do so where you reside. Notably, the U.S. and certain European countries have laws pertaining to the legality of their importation, sale, and ownership.
At PangoVet, we do not encourage breeding exotic pets, as this process is not without its risks for the animals involved. This article is intended for educational purposes only.
How Do Hedgehogs Mate?
This is a valid question and something you should know before getting started. The process is quite interesting for hedgehogs.
- The process by which a male hedgehog woos a female is known as the “hedgehog carousel.” Essentially, the male circles the female for hours.
- She may initially reject him. To show that she’s not interested, she will hold the spines along her back erect, effectively preventing any mounting attempts from him.
- However, if the female accepts the male, she will flatten the spines along her back. This signals that she’s willing to mate and will allow him to mount her without injuring himself.
After the deed, the male hedgehog leaves the female. He plays no parental role in the rearing of the young. Hedgehogs are not monogamous, so a male that mates with one female will go on to mate with as many females as he can during the mating season.
Hedgehog Pregnancy
Assuming that the mating process is successful, the female will end up pregnant. Although female hedgehogs can mate when they’re as young as 3 months old, the recommended age for breeding is around 6 months.
Hedgehogs have a gestation period (pregnancy) of 30–40 days. However, there are few physical signs of pregnancy in hedgehogs prior to the late stages. The most relevant signs are as follows.
- Within 3 weeks of contact with a male: a weight gain of around 50 or more grams (1.7637 oz.)
- At around 30 days (late pregnancy): an enlarged abdomen and mammary glands
Do note that these signs aren’t exclusive to pregnancy. An overfed hedgehog can gain weight and develop a rounded abdomen. Similarly, several mammary gland issues can result in enlarged mammary glands.
Hoglets (Hedgehog Babies)
Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets. They are born naked (with no spines) and blind and are completely dependent on their mother for survival. The average size of a newborn hoglet is around an inch (just over 2 centimeters). Their quills only begin to grow around 6–7 hours after they’re born. This is an evolutionary adaptation; after all, it wouldn’t be comfortable for a female to give birth to hoglets that already possess their spines!
Hedgehogs often give birth to a litter of about four to five young. Larger litters are possible, but most females only wean around two to three hoglets per litter. The hoglets remain in their burrows/nest until they are around 3 weeks old. At this age, they begin to accompany their mother on outdoor excursions and learn about the world from her.
Hoglets are weaned when they are around 5–6 weeks old, and at this point, they can no longer rely on their mothers for warmth, protection, or food. As pets, hoglets can be handled when they are around 3 weeks old (to ensure that they mature into tame adults), and they can be placed in their separate enclosures when they are around 8 weeks old. This separation is necessary because hedgehogs are solitary and may begin to squabble as they mature.
The Risks of Breeding Pet Hedgehogs
Breeding pet hedgehogs has its fair share of risks, so it’s a task best left to professionals. There are several reasons for this.
- A male and female may squabble before they mate, resulting in injuries for either or both.
- A female may have a complicated pregnancy if she’s bred too early; this is a huge risk if you don’t know her precise age at the point of adoption.
- A female may engage in infanticide and cannibalism of her hoglets, especially if she’s young. This is shocking for many first-time owners, as the female requires complete isolation from humans and other hedgehogs for a period of at least around 3 weeks (beginning 1 week before her hoglets are born).
- A female may also abandon her young, for reasons that are not well understood. Sadly, the mortality rate for orphaned hoglets is high (even when they’re offered formula).
- The financial burden of multiple hedgehogs can be overwhelming for many first-time owners. Remember that these are solitary pets; when they’re mature, each will need its own enclosure.
To avoid the heartache of deceased hoglets and the financial stress of possibly having to set up six to nine new enclosures every mating session, it’s best to leave the breeding of hedgehogs to seasoned professionals.
Final Thoughts
Hedgehogs are fascinating pets. Their breeding is an interesting process and usually results in a litter of around four to five hoglets. While conceptually simple, the logistics and reality of breeding hedgehogs as pets pose serious challenges, so this task is best done by professionals.
Featured Image Credit: markito, Pixabay
