Unlike hamsters, guinea pigs and other small rodents,
hedgehogs do not give off any appreciable odor and most are easily litter trained
. They live much longer than rodents, too. With the proper care and diet, a hedgehog's average life span is 4-6 years, however they some can live to be 8 years old.
Are hedgehogs smarter than hamsters?
Personality and Intelligence
Our best comparison of hedgehog intelligence is
to that of a hamster
. Hedgehogs do not typically come when called or actively seek out human interaction. Hedgehogs may learn certain behaviors through positive reinforcement or conditioning but only at a very basic level.
Why are hedgehogs the best?
Hedgehogs are solitary animals, so they will not get depressed or angry if you do not have loads of time to play with them.
Hedgehogs do bond with you
(using a snuggle sack is a great way to do so), and enjoy spending time having fun outside of their cage with your supervision.
Are hedgehogs good with hamsters?
In the wild,
hedgehogs will eat mice and small birds
. Your hamster will look like a slow-moving treat to your hedgie. In fact, some people live-feed their hedgies baby mice. I've heard of hedgehogs and dogs getting along, but a hamster is too close to a hedgehog's natural prey.
What is a better pet than a hamster?
Gerbils
are more energetic than hamsters, too, and aren't as prone to biting. The largest of the three, guinea pigs are also the most common. They live to be 5-7 years old and weigh 2-3 pounds. Guinea pigs rarely bite, are calmer, and are social animals, like gerbils.
Do hedgehogs bite?
Hedgehogs can bite you
, but very rarely will that happen. This usually happens when they are young and think your fingers are going to feed them (if they have been fed via a syringe as they had no mother). … They are strong enough to dig their teeth in to your flesh, however, they very rarely bite.
What are the 3 smartest animals?
- Chimpanzees are better than humans in some memory tasks.
- Goats have excellent long-term memory.
- Elephants can work together.
- Parrots can reproduce sounds of the human language.
- Dolphins can recognize themselves in the mirror.
- New Caledonian crows understand cause-and-effect relationships.
Why are hedgehogs illegal?
It is
illegal to own a hedgehog as a pet in some jurisdictions
in North America, and a license is needed to legally breed them. These restrictions may have been enacted due to the ability of some hedgehog species to carry foot and mouth disease, a highly contagious disease of cloven-hooved animals.
Do hedgehogs stink?
Hedgehogs don't have any scent glands
like ferrets, skunks, or even cats! So when we're clean, we don't have any particular scent. Like any animal, if they aren't kept clean, they begin to smell funky. Since domestic hedgehogs are caged animals, we walk through whatever is in our cage.
Are hedgehogs cuddly?
Hedgehogs got their name from the way they search for food in hedges and snort. The simple fact is, humans love hedgehogs. Despite
not being as “cuddly”
as cats or dogs thanks to the spines, or quills, that cover their backs, these animals have always held a special place in our hearts.
Are cats afraid of hedgehogs?
Cats are a significant threat to birds in our gardens and many small mammals. But
they don't pose much threat to hedgehogs
. Hedgehogs are very well defended, and after an initial investigation, cats generally leave them alone. And your cat won't catch fleas off hedgehogs either.
Are hedgehogs friendly?
Hedgehogs are docile and nocturnal
, which makes them impractical for light sleepers, folks who are out until the wee hours, or children hoping for a playful companion. When hedgehogs feel threatened, they roll themselves into a tight ball and can easily become injured if a human—or a dog or cat—tries to uncurl them.
Do hedgehogs carry diseases?
Hedgehogs can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings
while appearing healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their bodies, habitats, toys, bedding, and anything in the area where they live. People can get sick after they touch hedgehogs or anything in their habitats.
Are hamsters smelly?
Hamsters don't stink
but, if you aren't diligent, their cages sure will. A hamster's cage needs a full cleaning at least once a week. Dump all of the bedding and scrub the enclosure thoroughly with a mild detergent and warm water, then re-line it with brand new bedding.
What is the friendliest small pet?
- Hamsters. Hamsters are naturally playful, but they're also extremely affectionate and love attention. …
- Ferrets. …
- Guinea Pigs. …
- Lovebirds. …
- Hedgehogs. …
- Sugar Gliders. …
- Chinchillas. …
- Rabbits.
What Animals Can hamsters live with?
Types of Rodents
Dwarf hamsters can live in small same species groups if introduced to one another early in life, but will likely attack any other animal, hamster or not, who is introduced as an adult.
Gerbils
are social and can live with other gerbils, but may be viewed as prey by more aggressive species.
