A hedgehog that is cold or feels cool to the touch is in serious danger. Captive bred hedgehogs are not as accustomed to hibernation and can die from to them what is an unnatural torpor. Warming up a hedgehog too quickly can do more harm than good. A warm, gentle heat is preferred over forceful direct heat.
In this regard, how cold is too cold for a hedgehog?
Temperatures lower than 70 degrees are considered “cold” for hedgehogs and can result in a hibernation attempt, which can be fatal. A sudden drop in temperature, even if it doesn’t get below 70 degrees, can still trigger a hibernation attempt or cause other health problems.
Similarly, do hedgehogs feel the cold? In the wild, hedgehog hibernation is a useful survival instinct. When it’s cold, there are less insects available to sustain them, so hibernation makes sense. However, domesticated hedgehogs don’t face the same scarcity of food. Nor do they typically experience the same drastic temperature fluctuations.
Also to know is, what happens if a hedgehog gets too cold?
So letting them become too cold will eventually cause internal organs to shut down, respiratory problems, or sudden death. The signs that your hedgehog is too cold are if it is very lethargic, much huffier/grumpier than usual, slow to respond to being woken up, has a cold belly or feet, or is even wobbling.
Do hedgehogs need light at night?
Because they are nocturnal, hedgehogs do best with a consistent source of light for about 12-14 hours each day. This is important since natural light isn’t always consistent, and light is important to avoid triggering a hibernation attempt.
12 Related Question Answers Found
Do hedgehogs bite?
Most hedgehogs won’t bite unless you smell tasty or they feel afraid. Hedgehogs are not usually aggressive, but the saying “anything with teeth may bite” certainly applies.
Should a hedgehog be out in November?
Hedgehogs usually hibernate from October/November through to March/April. Research has shown that each individual is likely to move nesting sites at least once during this period and so can sometimes be seen out and about. During mild winters hedgehogs can remain active well into November and December.
Do hedgehogs need baths?
Hedgehogs are generally clean pets, but they sometimes require a bath. It’s fairly easy to bathe your hedgehog with the right equipment and a little patience. Draw a bath with warm water and add some shampoo. You should also clip your hedgehog’s nails after a bath, as they’ll be soft and easy to trim.
Do hedgehogs need a heat lamp?
No, they don’t need heat lamps, but they do need an adequate temperature regulation. The temperature in the cage must be kept in the range of 73-78° F. That’s why you are able to use heating pads or space heaters to keep the cage’s atmosphere acceptable for your hedgehog.
Can hedgehogs freeze to death?
The hedgehogs fat reserves keep the hedgehog alive. If the temperature drops below 1 degrees C, a hibernating hedgehog will suffer from frostbite, and may even freeze to death.
What is the best bedding for a hedgehog house?
Wood Bedding Options for Hedgehogs Kaytee Soft Granule Blend – Small little pellets are characteristic of this wood fiber bedding. Aspen shavings: Aspen is a fine wood shaving. Pine shavings: This is a classic small pet bedding but is not good for most small pets.
How do I know if my hedgehog is hibernating or dead?
A hibernating hedgehog will be completely rolled up into a tight ball with no face visible. You can tell that the hedgehog is hibernating and not dead by the fact that it will ‘ripple’ when touched very gently. It may also emit a little ‘snore’! Hedgehogs also generally don’t die curled up….
How do you know if your hedgehog is trying to hibernate?
One sure fire way to tell if your hedgehog is attempting hibernation is to feel it’s stomach. If it feels cold it needs to be warmed up immediately. Other symptoms are lethargy, lack of appetite, drinking less, inability to un-ball, wobbliness, unable to move and heavy breathing.
Does hedgehog bite hurt?
Hedgehogs have fairly small teeth designed to crunch insects. They do not have the typical rodent incisors or the large carnivore canines. The typical bite won’t feel good but won’t cause excruciating pain either. Finger bites typically hurt less than a bite to your softer skin between fingers or an arm.
How do hedgehogs die?
Hedgehogs, like many nontraditional pets, can hide their illness, even serious illness, to the point that you do not know they are sick until it is too late. Heart disease can cause sudden death, but he was not an old hedgehog and usually there are other signs if heart disease is present.
Why is hibernation bad for hedgehogs?
The reason why it’s most likely deadly to a normal pet hedgehog is because they’re not prepared for it. When they hibernate, they need a lot of extra fat to survive. Unprepared hibernation can be dangerous since the hedgehog doesn’t have this extra fat stored and isn’t ready for hibernation.
Do hedgehogs die if they hibernate?
Hedgehogs in captivity also can go into periods of partial-hibernation when the temperatures are too cool but it will not be a true hibernation. These hibernation attempts for the pet hedgehog are very dangerous because your hedgehog is likely to simply waste away and die.