Grade Four : Hedgehog Care Sheet

Meet the Hedgehog!

Hedgehogs are small, spiky friends that curl up into a ball when they're scared or sleepy. They're nocturnal, which means they're most active at night. Hedgehogs are curious little explorers and love to snuffle around looking for bugs and insects in the wild.

Home Sweet Burrow

Hedgehogs need a large, quiet space to feel safe—at least a big bin or large cage. Give them soft bedding, hiding spots, and tunnels to explore. They like it warm (around 24–27°C) and dark and quiet during the day so they can sleep. Keep them away from other pets because they need a calm environment.

What They Eat

Hedgehogs are insect-eaters in the wild, but pet hedgehogs eat special hedgehog food, insects like mealworms, and sometimes cooked chicken. Feed them once a day in the evening when they wake up. Fresh water should always be available.

Keeping Them Healthy

Hedgehogs can get sick easily, so handle them gently and keep their space clean. Check their spines—they should be smooth and clean. If your hedgehog is curled up all day, won't eat, or seems grumpy, ask a vet for help. Their spines aren't sharp like porcupines—they're actually quite soft!

Fun Facts!

Hedgehogs have up to 5,000 spines on their bodies! They make cute snuffling and grunting sounds as they explore. Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets. Hedgehogs can roll into a tight ball so well that their spines stick out in all directions—it's their superpower!