Are hedgehogs nocturnal?

Question

I want a hedgehog but I need to know if they're nocturnal.

Answer 1

Yes, they are nocturnal. Personally I only approve of pet hedgehogs when they are rescue ones that have been ill and are otherwise unable to survive in the wild.

Hedgehogs are wild and should stay that way - we've domesticated enough species.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog

Chalice

Answer 2

A hedgehog is any of the small spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Erinaceomorpha. There are 16 species of hedgehog in five genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand. There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species native to North America; those in New Zealand are introduced. Hedgehogs have changed little over the last 15 million years. Like many of the first mammals they have adapted to a nocturnal, insectivorous way of life. The name 'hedgehog' came into use around the year 1450, derived from the middle English word 'heyghoge'. Other folk names include 'urchin', 'hedgepig' and 'furze-pig'.

http.www.wikipedia.org/wiki/hedgehog
http.www.hedgehogcentral.com
http.www.animalnetwork.com/hedgehog

Answer 3

I have a friend who raised four African pygmy hedgehogs after their mother rejected them, and I've picked up a lot about them (apparently they are TERRIBLE parents when kept in captivity, and raising them is no piece of cake). She still owns the two males.

YES, they're nocturnal, and, like mice/rats/hamsters and so on, they can get quite annoying (I'm a mouse owner myself). Also, check your local laws. Many cities/states do not allow exotic animals, and hedgehogs tend to qualify as exotic.

Also, i mentioned above that my friend has African pygmies, which are far cuter and more social that European hedgehogs (as well as smaller, as the pygmy part suggests). They, supposedly, make better pets.

Answer 4

Hedgehogs are mostly nocturnal, and can travel long distances in their nightly forages for food, but they may remain in one nest for several days before moving on. The young are born between May and September, in litters of four or five. Hogs have been known to live for up to 14 years, but in the wild, most will die after two years.

Answer 5

yes hedgehogs are nocturnal, I had a few when I was younger. I remember they were nocturnal. but, just like hamsters, you can play with them during the day as well, they just wont be as active.

Answer 6

As with many small pocket-pets, hedgehogs are nocturnal and more active during evening/night time hours.

:)

Here are a few other source links for more information:
http://hedgies.com/
http://www.hedgehogcentral.com/
http://hedgehogclub.com/

Answer 7

yes they are but they come out to feed in little spurts, and they do set a routine, like some will feed at 0100-0300 then go back to sleep, then wake again at 0500-0600 then sleep again.
They love fruit cake, raspberries, tinned meaty dog food, water. very easy to tame so be aware that once tamed they cant be released into wild.

www.eurobichons.com

Answer 8

Yes, they are. They're not great pets, though, especially if you like something you can pick up and play with.

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

no i dont think so ask ur vet