Hedgehogs are cute and interesting exotic pets that have gained more popularity over the years. It’s not very common to see these pets get spayed or neutered, so there’s a chance that a pet hedgehog can get pregnant. The gestation period for hedgehogs is relatively short compared to humans and lasts between 30 to 40 days.Â
If you suspect that your hedgehog may be pregnant, you can look for some signs that can support your hunches. Here’s all you need to know about hedgehog pregnancies.
Signs that a Hedgehog May Be Pregnant
The ideal age for hedgehogs to mate is during their second year of life. However, hedgehogs can develop sexual maturity as young as 5 months old.
Pregnant hedgehogs will display certain types of behaviors. However, these behaviors can also be indicators of other underlying health concerns. So, the best way to determine if your hedgehog is pregnant is to consult with your veterinarian.
If you see your female hedgehog engaging in these behaviors, you might want to consider scheduling a vet appointment to determine if your hedgehog is pregnant:
How Long is a Hedgehog’s Pregnancy?
Breeding season for hedgehogs typically starts in the early spring and ends in early summer. So, you can start to see baby hoglets appear in mid-summer. On average, female hedgehogs give birth to litters of about four to five hoglets. However, litters can be as big as seven hoglets.
Hedgehogs can give birth to about two to three litters per season, but it’s best for them to have just one litter per year. This ensures that the hedgehog has plenty of time to recover and take adequate care of her young.
Do Hedgehogs Lay Eggs?
Hedgehogs may look similar to echidnas, but they’re different species of animals. Echidnas belong to the Tachyglossidae family and are one of four egg-laying mammal species.
In contrast, hedgehogs belong to the Erinaceinae family and don’t lay eggs. Instead, they have live births.
How To Prepare for Hedgehog Birth
Hedgehogs need a lot of privacy when they’re ready to give birth. So, make sure that your hedgehog’s enclosure is in a very quiet and peaceful spot with no disruptions. You can provide more nesting material so that your hedgehog can prepare a cozy nest for her litter.
A female hedgehog will start to exhibit different behaviors when she’s ready to give birth. You may notice her licking her genital area and having labored breathing. She might also lay on her side or choose to stand with her back legs apart. Her body might shake if she’s having contractions.
Hedgehogs can give birth to a hoglet within 2 minutes, but the process can also last for hours. You may also miss your hedgehog giving birth because hedgehogs tend to birth in the middle of the night.
Once all the hoglets are born, the mother hedgehog will eat the placenta and clean up her babies.
What To Do After a Hedgehog Gives Birth
The best thing you can do is leave your hedgehog alone for about a week. Hedgehog moms can easily feel stressed, which can lead to them rejecting their babies. There are even some cases of them eating or biting their young. So, make sure to leave them alone to bond and avoid touching or handling any newborn hoglets.
After about a week, you can slowly introduce yourself back to your hedgehog. Be extra mindful of being quiet, gentle, and slow with your actions and movements. You want to be as non-threatening as possible.
You can do some minimal, noninvasive spot cleaning of your hedgehog’s enclosure. However, extreme cleaning shouldn’t be done during this time because it can feel very disruptive and stressful for your hedgehog.
Baby hedgehogs start to get ready to leave their nest at about 4 weeks old. Once they reach 7 weeks old, they will no longer need their mom and can live independently.
- Next on your reading list:Â Why Do Hedgehogs Burrow? 5 Possible Reasons
Final Thoughts
Hedgehog pregnancies last for a little over a month. The whole rearing process takes just a few months and can fly by rather quickly. The best way to care for pregnant hedgehogs is to provide ample nesting material, food, and space. They tend to do well on their own, so it is rare that they need any intervention.xsxz my
Featured Image Credit: Amaya Eguizábal, Pixabay
