Hedgehogs do not live in groups and in fact, they are pretty solitary creatures. If you’ve been considering adopting a Hedgehog as a pet, you might be wondering if you should buy two hedgehogs instead of one. After all, wouldn’t your Hedgehog do better with a friend?
Most hedgehogs prefer to be alone. They go into hibernation alone. They nest alone. Mothers live with the hoglets in groups until they are between 6 and 8 weeks old, then they are on their own as well.
In the article below, we’ll discuss a few other things you need to know about hedgehogs and whether they do well alone or in pairs.
Where Do Hedgehogs Live?
Even though they are solitary creatures who prefer to be alone, hedgehogs aren’t generally territorial. For example, they don’t mark a spot and then go back there. While your Hedgehog might not return to the same spot at night during the autumn and summer months, they tend to follow regular patterns and come back to the same gardens from time to time.
Hedgehogs can be found mostly in hedges, farmlands, and wood lines, but the modern world sees them more in gardens and parks too.
It’s also important to note that though hedgehogs can swim, the ponds and pools you might have in your garden can become dangerous for them. Hedgehogs can get into this water but they’ll have a hard time getting out, and once they get tired, they are likely to drown.
Can You Keep More Than One Hedgehog?
As previously stated, hedgehogs prefer to be alone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have more than one hedgehog house in your garden. If you choose to build hedgehog houses in your garden, just make sure to keep them as far apart as possible so each hedgehog can have their own nest and the solitary time they need to be healthy and happy.
What Food Can You Leave Out for Hedgehogs?
Of course, if you’re going to adopt a little hedgehog as a pet, you’re going to want to leave food out for them to eat. It’s essential to note that hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so never give them any type of milk or dairy products. Pumpkin is also bad for hedgehogs, so refrain from giving your little friend pumpkin as well.
Dry cat food works well, but you can also purchase supplements and special foods to feed your hedgehogs for the best results. If you’re unsure what to feed your Hedgehog, contact a vet that deals with these types of pets. They can give you some recommendations.
Do Hedgehogs Get Along With Other Hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs seem to get along pretty well together. However, if you’re going to keep a couple, make sure to keep them in separate cages or separate parts of your garden.
If you want your Hedgehogs to become a pair, then put their cages next to one another so they can get used to one another slowly. Take the time out of each day to take them out of their cages and let them run around together.
Keep a close eye on them, and never leave the hedgehogs alone. In this way, you can keep hedgehogs in pairs or even in groups, however, it’s still best for them to be able to go back to their own cages when they need to.
Conclusion
So, in answer to the question, hedgehogs prefer to live alone and generally do not live together in pairs or groups, even in captivity. However, it is possible for them to coexist together if they have their own cages and nests.
See Also:
- 10 Best Hedgehog Litters – Reviews & Top Picks
- Do Hedgehogs and Dogs Get Along? What You Need To Know!
- Do Hedgehogs and Rabbits Get Along? What You Need To Know!
Featured Image Credit: Jussi Suvela, Shutterstock
