The African Pygmy hedgehog, or common pet hedgehog, is a small, solitary and mostly nocturnal mammal with quills. Hedgehogs appeal to people looking for an unusual, quirky pet that is also cuddly, quiet and odorless.

Typical costs:

Hedgehogs range in price from about $70 to $250, depending on the hedgehog's age, color, and temperament.
Some breeders offer hedgehog starter kits for around $75 that include a cage, wheel, a hiding place, water bottle, feed bowl and food, and some shavings.
Hedgehogs live between four and six years. The older the hedgehog the less expensive it will be.

Related articles: Chinchilla, Ferret, Rabbit, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster

What should be included:

At minimum, a hedgehog purchase should include a health certificate.
Many breeders also offer a pet carrier, small bag of food, blanket and sometimes even the airline ticket for shipping the pet.
Hedgehog quills are not as sharp as a porcupine's, and no injuries are spoken of in online hedgehog pet communities. Hedgehog owners are especially fond of hedgehogs' ability to roll into a tight ball, concealing their bodies, with their quills sticking out.
Hedgehogs fall in two color groups, White-Bellied and Algerian.
Without the proper socialization, hedgehogs can be skittish around humans. A grown hedgehog that hasn't been socialized will take some time to "warm up" to a person.

Additional costs:

A wire or plastic cage costs between $35 and $80. Note that hedgehog enthusiasts advise against using an aquarium because they're hard to clean and, more importantly, they have poor ventilation.
Hedgehogs like to exercise. Look for a small wheel, not a hamster wheel. Many breeders recommend the Flying Saucer wheel, which is $8 at PetSmart^[1] . Balls and other toys suitable for cats or gerbils would fit hedgehogs as well; these range in price from $1 to $10 at pet stores.
Provide hiding places in the cage. These can be anything from a PVC pipe to an overturned shoe box, but store-bought versions for small rodents run between $5 to about $20.
Litter trays cost around $8; litter is between $10 and $20. A bag will last about four months, breeders say.
Hedgehogs are omnivores, and since they're relatively new pets there aren't specialized foods for them. Cat foods can be used. Dry kibble costs between $5 and $8 for a four-pound bag and, at four tablespoons daily, should last about a month.
A typical vet visit costs between $30 and $60, depending on the vet. Consult HedgehogWelfare.org^[2] for a list of hedgehog veterinarians.

Shopping for a hedgehog:

Hedgehogs are considered exotic pets and as such are illegal to own in some cities and states. Check local ordinances to be sure hedgehog husbandry is allowed or if a permit is needed.
Hedgehog Central provides a list of breeders^[3] in the United States. To adopt a hedgehog, go to PetFinder.com^[4] and enter "hedgehog" and a zip code in the search fields on the left.
Pet Education^[5] gives tips of what to look for when considering a small pet purchase.

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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

I want a hedgehog

Amount: $250.00

Posted by: Tike Shiverin in Brooklyn, NY.	Posted: January 27th, 2019 01:01AM
Age: Me or the hedgehog?	Color: Dapple

Any advice on how to get a hedgehog would be much appreciated. Thank you.