One way to provide extra floor space is by having a multi-level cage. Top 5 Hedgehog Heating Products For Cages, The Complete Guide to Travelling with your Hedgehog. Read my post and learn more about the average life expectancy for common cats that live in captivity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, how long do hedgehogs live in the wild? However, spines normally come out when a hedgehog sheds baby spines and replaces them with adult spines. It is interesting that they live in New Zealand too, but hedgehogs were introduced there. And now, you are wondering what’s the average lifespan of a clownfish. Most captive fire-bellied newts live between 10 and 15 years, but could get up to 28 with really good care. The most common cause of death in hedgehogs is cancer. Ferrets as pets have a longer life span of 5-10 years, and you can enjoy them for quite a long time. How long do African pygmy hedgehogs live as pets? The thing is in the wild hedgehogs are exposed to several threats including, predators, harsh environment, lack of resources of food, etc. The newborn claimed to be called “hoglets” by Nat Geo, only stay with their mother for four to seven weeks. By nature, these pets are very serene, quiet, and often love to live alone. Adult flying squirrels can live to 5-6 years in the wild. avoid hibernation, the temperature in a hedgehog's environment. Th… They have a distinctive waddling gait and are covered in characteristic brown spines. As living in wild decreases the life to 3-5 years. Adult Size: 5 to 8 inches long, weighing between 1/2 to 1 1/2 pounds. it’s unhealthy, and often even fatal, if they do this in captivity. Some hedgehogs do live longer but generally at around the age of 3, diseases like cancers are common, affecting the mouth, digestive tract including the stomach. These species remained almost the same for more than 15 million years. In order for him to reach that average life span, you'll need to provide him with a proper diet, housing and care. But the lifespan of this species has not been documented yet. Larger species of hedgehogs live 4–7 years in the wild (some have been recorded up to 16 years), and smaller species live 2–4 years (4–7 in captivity), compared to a mouse at 2 years and a large rat at 3–5 years. We learned that they need sunlight to respire, so how are the grasshoppers going to live in the wet months as the rains might … Although African Pygmy Hedgehogs are small creatures, they are very active at night and need plenty of space to roam around in. To keep a healthy hedgehog confined in a small space or garden is cruel and many just give up and die, they need the stimulation of the hunt and feel the need to explore in order to prosper. Hedgehogs are wild animals and do not take well to being kept in captivity. The best way to ensure that your pet hedgie lives as long a life as possible is to make sure you care for them properly.  All of the advice and articles on our site are a great first step to learning everything you need to know to take care of your pet hedgie.  Then you have to put it into practice.  Getting your hedgie from a reputable breeder, ensuring they have everything they need in their cage, giving them regular attention, feeding them a proper diet, getting regular vet checkups, and so on all contribute to the overall health and wellness of your pet hedgie.  And, paying attention and getting to know when something is wrong with your hedgie, so that you can take them to the vet and hopefully get it sorted out, is another way to ensure that any issues that do arise are dealt with. Making hedgehog homes in the garden and providing food will help hedgehogs. So, exactly how long do hedgehogs live?  While lifespan varies, wild hedgehogs tend to live only 2 to 3 years on average.  Pet hedgehogs average 3 to 6 years in most cases, though some have lived as long as 9 to 10 years.  There’s a lot more to it than that, of course, as we’ll explain in more detail below.      Â.  It’s worth remembering, of course, that every animal – pet or wild – just like every person, is an individual.  The exact longevity of any given hedgehog is a function of their genetics, environment, how they are treated, their health and fitness, pre-disposition to certain diseases, the availability of food, exercise, stimulation, and so on.  All of the information regarding hedgehog lifespan that we cover here is based on averages and extremes that have been well-documented and reported.  But they are just that – they are not an exact figure for any given pet hedgehog, and your experience may vary considerably. After which they depart to live a life on their own without the care of the mother. Out in the wilderness, hedgehogs can walk for a very long time to find food. Larger species of hedgehogs live 4–7 years in the wild (some have been recorded up to 16 years), and smaller species live 2–4 years (4–7 in captivity), compared to a mouse at 2 years and a large rat at 3–5 years. They need a balanced and healthy diet to live longer. In fact, smaller hedgehog species will live a nearly double of the normal lifespan. Those interested in owning a hedgehog are probably wondering how long do hedgehogs live. While lifespan varies, wild hedgehogs tend to live only 2 to 3 years on average. How long they live, factors that can influence this, and more. Where Do Hedgehogs Live? In captivity, hedgehogs can live for 3-7 years. all mean less stress and less chance for ill health effects that can shorten a hedgehog’s life. So, their ideal life span is between 5 and 7 years, but most hedgehogs live between 3 and 5 years. This number can vary greatly, though, depending on factors such as type of hedgehog , family history, daily care, and a little bit of luck. In the wild, they live for 3-4 years. Pygmy hedgehogs were first bred in captivity in the United States around 20 years ago but have only been in England for a much shorter time. Like we mentioned before, squirrels actually do live longer in captivity than in the wild, being able to live up to 24 years, having a much longer life expectancy in captivity than in the wild. This is the reason why so many people are getting hedgehogs as pets. I heard on the internet that how long a hedgehog lives varies on the hedgehog, some books say 3-5 years other books say 10-12 years, it said to keep in mind that it may only live for 5 years but be prepared to take care of it no matter how long it lives. adminhh HEDGEHOG FACTS, HEDGEHOG FAQ December 20, 2018. To. What do hedgehogs look like? Many images to look at. A hedgehog is a very active animal. If their breeding is in captivity compared to when left out to survive in the wild. And it’s not all sunshine and roses, either – pet hedgehogs do encounter some problems that can shorten their life span.  For example, in the wild, hedgehogs cover several miles every night as they hunt and forage for food.  This provides them with a lot of exercise.  In captivity, even with an exercise wheel and ample-sized cage, it’s far easier for hedgehogs to get overweight.  Like in humans, obesity in hedgehogs can lead to a host of health problems and premature death.  But, in general, pet hedgehogs (who also happen to be on the smaller side in terms of overall hedgehog size) tend to live much longer than their wild counterparts, and, if well cared for, can keep their owners company for many years. This website lists about 9 of the species. The average lifespan for African pygmy hedgehogs in captivity runs from 4-6 years, with some living as long as 8 years. Depending on the species, the gestation period is 35–58 days. How Long Do Hedgehogs Live? Related posts: How long do rabbits live? When they first appeared, they were considered as quite rare, as such people eager to own one would be willing to pay upwards of £190 for one Pygmy hedgehog. If the ferrets are well-taken care with appropriate behavior and a healthy diet. In nature, hedgehogs live only 3-5 years. That’s not to say that wild hedgehog can’t live as long (or close to as long) as their domesticated counterparts.  Given optimal food conditions, limited predators, good weather, solid genetics, and a bit of good luck, wild hedgehogs can live for around 8 years or so.  It’s just not common, since life in the wild is all about survival and is a real challenge. The same experts say that a 5-year-old hedgehog is like a 75-year-old human. Live insect food especially is an important source of enrichment for African pygmy hedgehogs - allowing them to carry out their natural foraging and hunting behaviour. Hedgehogs can live up to 10 years in captivity, but those hedgehogs are few and far between. If you search the answer to this question, you’ve probably bought a clownfish. The most common cause of death in the wild is due to predation rather than age. Hedgehog Behavior. Hedgehogs have a relatively long lifespan for their size. How much do hedgehogs cost? Hedgehogs are easily recognized by their spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin. Hedgehogs have a relatively long lifespan for their size. How much space do hedgehogs need in captivity? Since hedgehog pets were not common in the past, there are different reports related to their life span when they are kept as pets. While some hedgies will still develop a problem that may not be easily cured, and may not live as long a life as their owners would like, this is no different than people or any other kind of pet.  The key is to do your best, love them, and treat them well.  That way, even if your time together isn’t as long as you’d like, you can rest easier knowing you’ve done everything you can to make your pet hedgie’s time on this planet as happy, healthy, and fulfilling as possible. Because they are highly adaptable little creatures, so have thrived and sustained a stable population despite encroaching human habitation. Such a big difference in life expectancy is not accidental. However, it is good to know that these cases are very rare. How long do pet amphibians live? Female hedgehogs can live shorter lives if they are breeding very frequently. corn, potato, sweet potato, little cabbage, pieces of pumpkin etc.Fruits-Hedgehogs likes to eat some fruits like apple, peas, papaya, nuts, seeds of fruits, almonds etc. There have been cases where pet hedgehogs have reached the 8-10 year range, but that’s rather uncommon. Fat-tailed (also called Duprasi) gerbils have a longer life expectancy than Mongolian gerbils. Mbi EntHow Long Do Hedgehogs Live. He rescues small animals but never owned a Hedgehog before , He realized that he was not the only one who had questions about being a hedgehog owner so he started a blog hoping to help out other owners new and old with any questions they might have along the way just like he did. Put it into a cardboard box lined with newspaper and give a small towel or tea towel for it to hide under. Hedgehogs live, on average, for 3 to 5 years. Hedgehogs typically live two to three years in the wild. The one drawback of this kind of life cycle is that it means they do not necessarily live for an incredibly long time.  Early maturity tends to mean a shorter lifespan (among many, many other factors).  Compared to cats and dogs, for example, they tend to live shorter lives, and mature several times faster than either of those typical household pets.  Combined with size, genetics, metabolism, and many other factors, this can mean you don’t necessarily get as much time with a pet hedgehog as you do with some other types of common household pets.  You need to know this going in, as those who have a hard time saying goodbye or moving on from pets that have passed on may find the hedgehog’s typical life span to be too short for them to handle. Their diet mostly consists of insects but they have been known to eat plants and other animals if need be. Reasons for staying long in captivity. They are known for being timid little animals, but as any hedgehog owner will tell you, hedgehogs respond to their owner’s voice and appearance and are very interactive if socialized properly. | How long do hamsters live? Te best food for pet hedgehogs is cat food. Although, sometimes others just find a new nest. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Signs that a hedgehog is. Leave a Comment / FAQ, Fun Facts / By zoe.nian.chai / December 29, 2020 December 29, 2020. Specializing in Quality Hedgehogs. Hedgehogs typically live two to three years in the wild. Their spines are not poisonous or barbed and unlike the quills of a porcupine, cannot easily be removed from the animal. Clownfish can live between 10 to 15 years in captivity. Hedgehogs are 20–25cm long and typically weigh up to 1.2kg. Discover the lifespan of the animals: dogs, cats, lions, whales, monkeys…, many people are getting hedgehogs as pets, Factors that contribute to the life expectancy of the hedgehogs. How long do clownfish live? Priced between $150 and $300 each, hedgehogs cost more than many small pets like guinea pigs and gerbils. Hedgehogs are obedient and they have amusing nature which makes them perfect pets. Even though they have a specific defense system, experienced predators know how to pass this system. So, hedgehogs live between 3 and 5 years, but there are things that owners can do to extend their life expectancy. Don’t forget that this exercise will make them happier too. As with many animals, it is not unusual for an adult male hedgehog to kill newborn males. Try to create an environment where your animal will feel happy and de-stressed. Lifespan in captivity tends to be longer than in the wild, as they are more sheltered and, on average, exposed to fewer predators and receive more reliable food, water, and care. Hedgehogs as pets have quite a long life span when compared to, hedgehogs which live in the wild environment. Wild hedgehogs can be one of over a dozen different species, and the overall life span does vary by species.  Typically, larger hedgehogs live shorter lives somewhat.  However, by far, the main contributing factor to the life span of a wild hedgehog is luck.  Like many wild animals, hedgehogs face a lot of predators and other challenges to their survival.  This is why the average wild hedgehog’s life span is only 2 to 3 years.  It’s not that they can’t live longer, it’s just that they generally, on average, don’t.  Scarcity of food, dealing with hibernation, predators, moving burrows, and so on can all take a toll. It is a solitary animal and should live alone. Assuming this hunch is correct, hedgehogs in captivity continue to self-anoint because this is ingrained behavior that hasn’t worn off yet. Syrian hamsters can live in captivity for 32 to 34 months. How long they live, factors that can influence this, and more. Pet hedgehogs, as a result, typically live for 3 to 6 years on average.  Many who get lucky and have good genes on their side have been known to live to 8, 9, or even 10 years old at the extremes.  The exact age or life span of your pet hedgehog will of course vary. ; Vegetables-You can add some vegetables to your hedgehog’s food like carrot, bean. Since hedgehog pets were not common in the past, there are different reports related to their life span when they are kept as pets. In the wild, hedgehogs live to be around 2-3 years old. Name: African pygmy hedgehog. Hedgehogs have a relatively long life span for their size. First, it’s important to understand a hedgehog’s life cycle.  In the wild or in captivity, hedgehogs mature incredibly fast.  By just a few months old, they are mature enough to reproduce.  By around 1 year of age, they are what, in human terms, would be considered “grown-up”, old enough to have kids of their own, equivalent to a human 30 to 40-year-old person.  And then their aging slows down considerably, as they remain “middle-aged” for much of their life – though they continue to age, and eventually reach a period equivalent to being “senior citizens.”  It just takes them comparatively longer, where their first few decades (in human years) fly by fast, and then their aging slows down.  This is not dissimilar to many other small mammals. Hedgehogs commonly live 3 to 6 years old in captivity with a few individuals living less or longer. On average, wild hedgehogs tend to live between 2 and 3 years, while hedgehogs in captivity usually live between 3 and 6 years. How long do desert hedgehogs live? Domesticated hedgehogs need, at a minimum, about 8 square feet of space in their enclosure. The normal lifespan of this animal is around four to six years; however, it can live up to ten years in captivity. How Long do Fat-Tailed Gerbils Live? In captivity, they have been known to live up to 10 years of age. How Long Do Hedgehogs Live? However, it is good to know that these cases are very rare. Various resources report a relatively wide range in the maximum life expectancy of hedgehogs kept as pets. Larger species of hedgehogs live 4–7 years in the wild (some have been recorded up to 16 … Pet hedgehogs average 3 to 6 years in most cases, though some have lived as long as 9 to 10 years. Such body mass will ensure that the hedgehog has a good body fat resource to see it through the long sleep. | How long do otters live? On average, wild hedgehogs tend to live between 2 and 3 years, while hedgehogs in captivity usually live between 3 and 6 years.This number can vary greatly, though, depending on factors such as type of hedgehog, family history, daily care, and a little bit of luck.. As the owner of a hedgehog, it makes sense that you'd want to know the lifespan of your pet. It can grow to be around six to nine inches long. 6. Domesticated hedgehogs that are kept as pets have both higher average and total/extreme lifespans.  This is mostly due to all of the benefits of living in captivity – essentially, the opposite of all of the challenges that wild hedgehogs face.  There are limited to no predators to deal with when kept as a house pet.  Food, water, and suitable living space is typically provided by the pet owners.  The constant or near-constant temperatures, lack of hibernation need, lack of exposure to the elements, etc. First, hedgehogs living in the home do not suffer from a lack of food, as they do in the wild. No.  You should never keep a wild animal as a pet, and that includes wild hedgehogs.  Animals that are born and live in the wild are not suited for life in captivity.  They may have parasites or other illnesses that can be transferred to humans.  And their temperament and the change in their living conditions will likely lead to health issues, unhappiness, and premature death.  If you want a hedgehog as a pet, we don’t blame you – they’re cute and awesome.  Just be sure to get one from a reputable breeder or pet store, rather than trying to capture a wild hedgehog.  Both your new pet hedgie and you will be much happier and healthier by following this advice. They do not face the problems of hunger or conflicts in captivity and the only reason for their death is the old age. Some hedgehogs live a little longer and some hedgies live a little less, but 3-6 years is a pretty good average. If you’ve never had a pet hedgehog before, one of the many questions you may have is how long do they live?  This is a bit of a loaded question, like with many animals, because there are a great deal of factors that go into determining their life span.  And, there’s a distinct difference between how long hedgehogs live in the wild, and how long they live as pets in captivity, with the latter typically being much longer than the former. Lack of predators and controlled diet contribute to a longer lifespan in captivity (8–10 years depending on size). How long do ferrets live in captivity? If you find an injured hedgehog, wearing thick gardening gloves, pick it up by holding it in both hands round the middle, scooping it up. In addition, hedgehogs that don’t have a proper diet have greater chances of developing diseases which will decrease their life span. Like we mentioned before, squirrels actually do live longer in captivity than in the wild, being able to live up to 24 years, having a much longer life expectancy in captivity than in the wild. In some regions, keeping a fat-tailed gerbil is even forbidden. Apr 5, 2018 - How Long do Hedgehogs Live – It may come as a surprise to learn that hedgehogs are mammals that have been living in Southern Europe and Africa for millions of years. On average, hedgehogs bred in captivity can live as long as 10 years. How long do hedgehogs live? << Back to All Hedgehog Help & Education or Shop Hedgehog Products. Pet hedgehogs live up to 10 years in captivity, though their average lifespan is closer to 4 to 6 years. Female lions naturally live longer than male lions. European Hedgehog: Species in … A hedgehogs lifespan is between 3-5 years on average when kept as pets. There’s a lot more to it than that, of course, as we’ll explain in more detail below. There is a wide range of factors that contribute to their wellbeing, health and life expectancy, and we will mention some of them in this article. Some hedgehogs have even lived up to 9 or 10 years! Huey my first hedgehog lived to be 5 and 1/2 years old. But as beloved pets, hedgehogs can live anywhere between 3-7 years! The average hedgehog lifespan is between 3-7 years for pets. Their size is almost or exactly relative to an actual teacup. However, mothers have also been known to eat their young if the nest is disturbed. Experts agree that, when they are in captivity, hedgehogs can live 10 years. When they live in the wilderness, hedgehogs live between 2 and 3 years. In the wild, 18 months is a long life for hedgehogs. Hedgehog Care & … Hedgehogs are adorable little insect eating mammals that live, on average, 4-7 years when kept as pets. The oldest captive frog recorded is the European Common Toad (Bufo bufo), which lived for 40 years at the London Zoo. I’m a rescue hedgehog and my rescue Dad named Ken  decided to start a blog about what every Hedgehog parent should know! If their breeding is in captivity compared to when left out to survive in … ChaCha again! In some cases, even more than 20 years. There have been cases where pet hedgehogs have reached the 8-10 year range, but that’s rather uncommon. They are mostly solitary and isolated animals and thus the only couple for mating purposes. Larger species of hedgehogs live 4 – 7 years in the wild (some have been recorded up to 16 years), and smaller species live 2 – 4 years (4 – 7 in captivity), compared to a mouse at 2 years and a large rat at 3 – 5 years. The most common cause of death in the wild is due to predation rather than age. When they first appeared, they were considered as quite rare, as such people eager to own one would be willing to pay upwards of £190 for one Pygmy hedgehog. Today, they are 17 different species of this cute animal. The majority of mine have lived to be over 4 (most of those around 4.5 years). It should not contain toxins and it should not be made of a material that is prone to accumulation of dust and dirt. The same experts say that a 5-year-old hedgehog is like a 75-year-old human. How Long Do Squirrels Live In The Nest? There are some 14 species of hedgehogs currently worldwide, with only the South African Hedgehog (atelerix frontalis) listed as endangered. In captivity, hedgehog lifespan typically runs from 3-5 years. In the wild, hedgehogs live a short life of 2-3 years. It is amazing when a small hedgehog can live as long as a dog, right? A mother squirrel will build several nests, in … How long do hedgehogs live? Our longevity has a lot to do with our diet, environment, and health habits. The European hedgehog lives an average of 6 years in the wild and up to 10 in captivity in a zoo. How Long Do Female Lions Live. Size: Five to eight inches long. Hedgehogs For Sale. But, it is not a cause for concern. This kind of gerbil also is less likely to bite but is less common as a pet. Pets are not easy to adopt and keeping at home. The bedding is also important because the hedgehog spends a lot of time on it. Like many non-traditional pets, there are regulations and restrictions on whether or not you can keep them as pets in many areas around the world.  There are a variety of reasons for this.  In the US, for example, several states prohibit people from keeping pet hedgehogs.  Some of this is born out of old, ill-informed beliefs about hedgehogs carrying certain diseases that were a threat to livestock and farm animals.  Most of that has been disproven in modern times thanks to science.  However, in other areas, prohibitions against pet hedgehogs are based on a much more real concern – the fact that hedgehogs are not native to the area.  If pet hedgehogs get lose, they can upset the environmental balance and devastate local animal and insect populations.  Hedgehogs are not native to North America, and this is the reason why they are still banned in many states in the US. Double of the normal lifespan of this cute animal usually live about twice long... 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