basic care

Question
Hello, I am thinking about getting a single hedgehog as a pet but have some questions that I am hoping you can help me with...

How big of a cage is best? do they like to climb or are they pretty much ground bound like guinea-pigs?

How long do they live?

Can they be handled offen do they tend to bite?

I would want to feed the best possible food I have heard some hedgehog foods arent so good but some cat foods can be fed... would you know of any good cat food brands that can be fed also any quaility hedgehog food brands would be great.

Is there any kind of treats they can be fed?

Can these use a wheel for exercise? I am aware a soild floored wheel is better then a barred floor wheel.

is there any difference between males and females personality wise?

any web links would be great too

Thank you for any help, any web links would be great too


Answer
I use a huge sterlite plastic container. I think you can get them at Walart. The big storage containers. They need lots of rooms. Some people even do kiddie pools.

handle them as often as you can. It helps them become nicer. If they bite, it really can't hurt you. just push your finger back to force the jaw open. it is uncomfortable for them.

Feed your hedgehog a premium cat food (can only be bought at pet store or vet) low in fat and high in protein.

get them a wheel. they can run miles in a short time. i forget the website, but you can order hedgehog wheels online.

i have read males are better, but i had a female and she was nice.

they live about 5-10 years. Hedgehogs are very prone to cancer, and it increases greatly around year 5. the tumours spread quickly.