How Do Hedgehogs Reproduce? Detailed Explanation of Breeding Methods and Techniques

The hedgehog is a small animal covered in spines. Recently, many people have taken to keeping hedgehogs as pets, so how do hedgehogs reproduce? Let's take a look below.

1. How do hedgehogs reproduce?

Hedgehogs begin mating and breeding in April each year, producing 1-2 litters per year, with 3 to 6 young per litter. Every spring after hibernation ends, hedgehogs seek out a mate. Before the female hedgehog accepts his courtship, the male hedgehog must spend several hours circling her, after which he has completed his mission. The female hedgehog then begins searching for a safe, quiet place as a nest for herself and the baby hedgehogs that will be born 30 days later. Newborn young have sparse, soft hair on their backs and no vision during the first two weeks after birth, but within a few days it gradually hardens into spines. After being fed on mother's milk for 4-8 weeks, the mother hedgehog teaches them how to forage. Two months after birth, the mother hedgehog stops caring for the young hedgehogs, leaving them to live on their own. About 90% of young hedgehogs live less than one year.

The reproductive lifespan of hedgehogs is generally 4-7 years, and the suitable breeding age is 2-4 years old. Hedgehogs only reach sexual maturity after 2 years of age, so to breed hedgehogs you also need to consider whether they meet these conditions before proceeding. In the wild, the mortality rate of hedgehog young reaches 90%, because the young have limited survival ability and die before they have developed to adulthood. Under artificial breeding, however, as long as they are managed and cared for properly, the young can generally survive at a rate of 100%. Hedgehogs are naturally rarely ill, so there is no need to worry that the young will contract diseases; simply provide fresh food and keep the sanitary environment clean.

2. How are hedgehogs kept?

Hedgehogs are gentle in temperament, and some breeds are only slightly larger than a palm, which is why some people in Australia and the United Kingdom keep them as pets. Common hedgehogs are not easy to keep as pets. The hedgehogs kept as pets are bred by crossing the common hedgehog with the African “four-toed hedgehog”; they do not hibernate, are smaller in size, and are not cold-tolerant.

For household keeping of hybrid hedgehogs, you can prepare feed yourself, mixing meat scraps, grains and by-products, and green vegetables in proportion. In addition, small animals such as caterpillars, beetles, snails, and earthworms, as well as fruit, can also be fed to them. Hedgehogs are sensitive to lactose, so dairy products must not be fed to them.

Hedgehogs have strong adaptability, suffer from few diseases, carry no infectious diseases, and will not bite people at random. They can generally live 4-7 years. As long as feeding management and sanitary measures are proper, hedgehogs rarely fall ill, and they can generally be treated with the corresponding human medicines.