Albino Hedgehog Care Sheet

The albino hedgehog is a rare species of the hedgehog family of animals, with only one in 10,000 hedgehogs born as a completely albino animal, according to the Mail Online. The albino hedgehog is a unique coloring, as it is completely free of pigmentation creating color banding on the spines. The albino is born with pink skin and red eyes.

  1. Hedgehog

    • The hedgehog is an animal native to Europe, Africa and Asia. The most common form of hedgehog kept as a pet in North America is the pygmy hedgehog, native to central Africa. The average adult hedgehog grows to between 1/2 and 1 1/4 lbs. and a length of between5 and 8 inches, according to The International Hedgehog Association. Hedgehogs live between three and six years and are nocturnal, insect-eating animals. When the climate in which the hedgehog is living sees a fall in temperature to below 45 F, the hedgehog goes into a state of hibernation.

    Feeding

    • Albino hedgehogs are assumed, like all species of hedgehog, to be lactose intolerant, meaning milk from cows should be avoided when caring for young albinos and goat's milk used as a substitute. In the wild, hedgehogs feed on insects within their environment. Insects such as crickets, mealworms and wax worms can be purchased from pet stores as live, dried or frozen food for hedgehogs. Food should be high in protein and low in fat; cooked chicken and chicken-based baby and cat foods are commonly used to feed hedgehogs. Chicken-based dried cat biscuits can also be used to feed hedgehogs, Hedgehog Kingdom reports.

    Habitat

    • In most climates, hedgehogs cared for by humans require indoor cages, unless an outdoor heat source can keep the temperature at the optimum 65 F to 80 F, Hedgehog Kingdom reports. General care of an albino hedgehog requires a cage or aquarium at least 12 inches by 36 inches to be positioned in a warm, well-lit area of a house, though the hedgehogs home should not be placed in direct sunlight or in drafty areas. Twelve hours of artificial or natural sunlight are required each day, along with toys or a wheel for the hedgehog to exercise upon. Hedgehog Kingdom reports a hedgehog can run on a wheel to complete around five miles per night. Dust-free sawdust should be used in the cage or aquarium to avoid problems caused by dust in the bladder of the hedgehog.

    Breeding

    • By placing a male and female hedgehog in a cage or aquarium together, breeding of the pair is almost inevitable, according to The International Hedgehog Association. Hedgehogs are largely solitary animals, with females able to survive with males but hedgehogs of the same sex often fighting. Female hedgehogs are capable of breeding after around eight weeks of life, although breeding should be avoided until the female is at least five months of age.