Hedgehog lovers

CEBU, Philippines - The Hedgehog Lovers of Cebu joined the Pet Expo at Parkmall from November 30 to December 4 as a way of spreading the good news about raising hedgehogs.

Parents and kids learned valuable tips on how to deal with a spiky, thorny ball of an exotic pet to avoid the pricks.

One of those featured that I got to hold, with a gentle scoop to the underbelly, is a champagne-colored hedgehog. It has white quills with 75-percent band of taupe or something like pale orange. Remaining band registers a shade close to cinnamon. I learned that only when in tense situations does the hedgehog send its quills to a taut stretch. When handled gently, they prove to be affectionate too.

Here are the basics in hedgehog care giving:

• Preparing a cage

It has been suggested that a plastic bin cage is most suitable. It is much easier to clean, said hobbyist Hazel Patlingrao. It is lightweight. "But the size of course of the space you would like your hedgehogs to have is up to you," she added.

In choosing bedding, it can be "kusot" (wood shavings with no wood dust). Some use paper strips. Patlingrao said that this can help absorb the smell of the urine and feces and would be less messy.The smell of the urine and feces of a pregnant hedgehog is much stronger, so you need brisk and hassle-free cleanup.

• Choosing a hedgehog

When buying hedgehogs from a breeder, it is suggested that you visit the breeder's herd. It is much better because you can check the environment of the hedgehog you are buying and you can see it walking around. You can easily spot the deformities and other possible problems. In there, you can choose the best thing from the hedgehogs available.

• Hedgehog diet and nutrition

It is a good idea to limit protein to around 30 percent, fat to below 15, and fiber to 15 percent or higher and all natural. "But here mostly, we feed them cat food and insects like superworms, mealworms and crickets," Patlingrao added.

Some enthusiasts do give their petsmultivitamins mixed with their water, but it was pointed out that you should change their water within 24 hours if not consumed.

• Breeding

Six to seven months would be the best age to breed. They have 35 to 42 days gestation until hoglets are born. Prepare the nest box a week before expected due date and clean the cage. If the food you gave the night before the expected date is not moved and you can hear some chirping sounds, then hoglets are already born. It is best not to disturb the nest box.You can try peeking at the nest box through the opening to confirm, but you must be very careful not to stress out the mother or you can lure her out by putting a treat. Don't open the cage or disturb it very often because the hoglets might die. Certainly, you don't want that! You can only check them freely and hold the hoglets after three weeks.

If you contemplate on giving a hedgehog to someone special this Christmas, search for a group at Facebook: Hedgehog Lovers of Cebu. Or email [email protected] to learn more.