PETA has exposed breeding facilities keeping hundreds of suffering small animals in dank, filthy cages and bins. Hedgehogs can easily suffer from malnutrition and the overwhelming stress of captivity in an unnatural and uncomfortable environment. When people succumb to the temptation to purchase exotic animals such as hedgehogs from stores, auctions, or the internet in order to keep them in their home, it often leads to pain and death for these animals.
Although their small size may make them look cute and cuddly, “ pocket pets” are wild animals who have very specific needs that the average person can’t meet. Hedgehogs aren’t native to North America, but that hasn’t stopped the notorious pet trade from profiting from this exploited species. Buying a hedgehog supports the deadly “pocket pet” trade.
ARE HEDGEHOGS NOCTURNAL SKIN
They can also transmit salmonella bacteria as well as viral and fungal diseases, and their sharp spines can puncture skin and cause infections. Some regions have banned the practice of keeping hedgehogs, as some carry the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease. When hedgehogs feel threatened, they roll themselves into a tight ball and can easily become injured if a human-or a dog or cat-tries to uncurl them. Hedgehogs are docile and nocturnal, which makes them impractical for light sleepers, folks who are out until the wee hours, or children hoping for a playful companion. Some humans may find this repulsive, but it’s just another sign that we have no business trying to handle these sensitive individuals.
Many hedgehogs have a “self-anointing” habit: They contort and smear their own frothy saliva all over their bodies. When they feel anxious or threatened, these spikes stand up in all directions, making the animals difficult to handle. Like porcupines, hedgehogs have sharp, prickly quills that they use to fend off predators. Caretakers note that it takes a lot of time and effort to get a hedgehog to tolerate being held. And many hedgehogs die or are abandoned by the people who purchased them when the novelty wears off.Įvery hedgehog has a unique personality, but most aren’t interested in human affection. To call them “domesticated” is truly stretching the truth. But these animals are only a few generations from their natural-living cousins. The most common type of hedgehogs purchased as “pets” are hybrids commonly known as African pygmy hedgehogs. So before you go looking online for a hedgehog because you love Sega’s classic blue guy and want to buy your own Sonic on a whim, read on to find out why a hedgehog is anything but an ideal “pet.” Hedgehogs are solitary animals who don’t want to interact with humans. Hedgehogs, like all other small animals, are complex and unique individuals who require a lifetime of special care, food, and supplies.
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