Does My Hedgehog Need a Friend?

Photo by Arif Hidayat on Unsplash

A question we often receive is, "Is my hedgehog lonely? Does he or she need a friend?" While it's natural to want the best for our prickly companions, it’s essential to understand their unique nature and needs.

Hedgehogs in the Wild:

Hedgehogs are inherently solitary animals. Unlike some other small mammals, such as sugar gliders or prairie dogs, hedgehogs do not live in community or colony settings. In the wild, they hunt and scavenge for food independently, not relying on other hedgehogs for survival. Males and females only come together for mating purposes, and males do not participate in raising the young—in fact, they can pose a danger to the babies and may even harm them. Once hedgehog babies are weaned, they leave to establish their own territory. Hedgehogs do not form lifelong pairs or bonds with each other.

Hedgehogs as Pets:

When it comes to keeping hedgehogs as pets, it's generally safest to house them individually. Here’s why:

• Males: Male hedgehogs are known to display dominance or "alpha" behavior, which can lead to fighting. These fights can be severe, potentially resulting in serious injuries or even death.

• Females: While there is a slightly higher chance that female hedgehogs might tolerate living together, it requires a significant amount of space and duplicate equipment to reduce the risk of aggression. Even then, conflict can range from mild huffing and puffing to more severe injuries, such as torn ears or bite wounds along the legs or skirt line.

Most fighting tends to occur in adulthood, but it’s not uncommon for even young hedgehogs as early as 7 weeks old to exhibit dominance or aggressive behavior toward their siblings.

• Starvation Risks: Another serious concern with cohabitation is the risk of starvation if a dominant hedgehog prevents a more submissive one from accessing food.

Because of these reasons, the general consensus among breeders, rescuers, and veterinarians is that African Pygmy Hedgehogs should be housed individually, with one hedgehog per cage, to ensure their safety and well-being.

So, does your hedgehog need a friend? The answer is no—hedgehogs are happiest and healthiest living on their own. They thrive in environments where they can explore, burrow, and play without the stress or risk of competing with another hedgehog.