Say Hello to our new baby- Sparky the Hedgehog
Ren now has his first-ever pet.Β He named it Sparky (I don’t know where he got it from).Β It is a hedgehog, but Ren calls it a Porcupine.
It was given to Ren as a gift for his 7th birthday by his Science Teacher who has various kinds of unique pets. His teacher gave it to him so that he will practice how to be responsible.
here is his first ever pictorial π
Although I was briefed by Ren’s teacher on how to take care of the hedgehog, I still did some research (as well as my husband who is the main caretaker of this pet).
Here are some few things I learned about hedgehog:
- The hedgehogs are nocturnal, coming out at night and spending the day sleeping (just like my husband who is like a vampire hehehe)
- When they feel alarmed or intimidated, they will curl up into a spiny ball to protect their vulnerable stomach.
- Hedgehogs need a large cage to be comfortable in.Β That is why we brought a nice huge playpen for him to freely roam at night.
- It needs a hiding spot.Β Thanks to a Selecta ice cream used container and a Pringles can which serve as his cave every morning.
- Hedgehogs need a slightly warmer room temperature than most people keep their homes at, around 72ΒΊF (22.2ΒΊC) to 80ΒΊF (26.6ΒΊC). Anything cooler and the hedgehog will likely attempt “hibernation” which can be LETHAL, much hotter and heat stress occurs. Adjust the temperature if you see them spread out in the cage as if they’re hot. If they’re lethargic, or the body temperature is cooler than normal warm them up immediately by putting them under your shirt and using your body heat to warm them. (from www.wikihow.com)
- Hedgehogs are primarily insectivores, but will also taste for other things like fruits, veggies, eggs, and meat. They tend towards plumpness, so care must be taken with the diet to prevent a hedgehog from putting on too much weight. An overweight hedgehog cannot roll up and may have rolls of fat hanging down which will impede its walking ability.
- They need an exercise wheel to use up all their energy at night. But it must be built specifically for hedgehogs, a cake topper or bucket wheel is recommended.
My husband which has the same time slot with our hedgehog is the one taking care of it especially when it becomes hyper active at night.
Ren doesn’t have much participation in taking care of it, besides putting food and water in its container. Well, maybe that is the start of his training in being responsible.
My daughter wants a hedgehog but I talked her out of it, Takot ako for the pet my son is not so gentle with little things baka masaktan nya.
Wow! Hedgehog! That is something! π
I wish to give my daughter a pet too, a dog or rabbit may be. But since she has skin asthma, her pedia and derma advised to wait a little later, when she’s a bit older. She just turned 3 this month. π
Happy for you that you can teach “responsibility” to your kid in a fun way. Keep it up! π
It’s so adorable! Please keep posting about Sparky I’m really curious to see how he grows! Wait, is it a he or she? π
“He” pala. Sorry!
We had a hedgehog once, but we gave him away. With two toddlers, the hedgehog just keeps going into a defensive roll so the kids always end up getting stung. We eventually decided to let go and went for a puppy instead. π
so cute! my officemate has one of those kaya namatay na e.. π sad
Gah, how cute! Pano yun if it’s nocturnal? Your boy can’t really play with it?
he can’t play with it like hahawakan nya. Sya lang naglalagay ng food and water sa container tapos papanuorin nya lang kumain
hehehe, ang galing, my daughters love cute animals, it will be a hit here at home!
Aww what a cutie! I love him!
I think this is a sign! I’ve been communicating with a hedgehog breeder and I’m waiting for our future pet to be weaned. Maybe will get it sometime November. Its going to be a surprise for my daughter.
We have lots of pets at home. Is it not difficult alagaan? Like guinea pig or hamster? Gustong gusto kasi bilhin ng panganay ko yan sa pet store nung nakita nya last week.
Hi Mommy,
No hindi naman mahirap. Maingay lang sya sa gabi kasi don sya gising so make sure may space sya sa house na malayo sa bedroom π
It’s so cute! But how do you pet or carry it? Will your hands be pricked? Taking care of hedgehogs are quite tricky pala, especially with just the right temperature that it needs.
Hindi naman sya mahirap hawakan, sa umpisa masakit pero pag sanay ka hindi na π
Interesting pet! I want to touch those spines! Are they really sharp and pointed – like pins?