African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) — species profile (taxonomy, origin, lifespan, husbandry basics)
Authoritative first-hand species account (Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan). All bullet facts are verbatim from the cited source and C1-substring verified.
Natural History & Origin
- The African pygmy hedgehog ranges in southern Africa from Senegal to Sudan and Zambia.
- In addition to the wild animals found in African deserts, a closed breeding stock
- the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
Habitat
- in deserts low (less than 30 cm per year) and unpredictable rainfall results in landscapes
- dominated by plants and animals adapted to aridity.
- Deserts can be cold or warm and
Size
- http://www.lpzoo.com/animals/mammals/facts/hedgehog.html
- is approximately 7-9 inches when the animal is relaxed.
- There are other, more rare colorations, although agouti is by far the most common.
Lifespan
- African pygmy hedgehogs live approximately 2-3 years in the wild.
Behavior & Social Structure
- As spontaneous ovulators and primarily solitary
- The African pygmy hedgehog is a solitary animal.
- As a nocturnal creature, it constantly
Reproduction
- generally breeds once or twice a year.
- of birth this membrane dries up and the spines immediately start growing.
- The young are sexually mature around two months of
Diet
- They have been known to eat scorpions and small poisonous
- eats many things deemed "pests" by humans, the hedgehog's diet makes it an important
- animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently