Hedgehogs are known for being fast and agile, but did you know that they can be surprisingly slow when it comes to reproducing? When do hedgehogs have babies? Find out in this blog post.
Usually, hedgehogs only reproduce once every year or even less! This means that their litter size isn’t enormous either. Hedgehogs have between two and five babies during their mating season, which they call a “leap.” The baby hedgehogs are born in the spring, but this can vary depending on where you live!
How do hedgehogs mate?
Hedgehogs mate for between 20 and 30 minutes before the female releases an egg. The male hedgehog will guard his partner to ensure that she doesn’t mate with other males! This mating ritual only occurs once every year, which is one of the reasons why it can be hard to breed them in captivity. There are some cases where this might not happen if the weather conditions are bad or if there aren’t enough plants around for food.
Lifecycle of a hedgehog
Hedgehogs live in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They are nocturnal animals that nest under rocks or logs during the day. At night they will venture out to find food, primarily insects but can also include berries and fruit depending on what’s available. Hedgehogs have a unique ability to curl up into a ball when frightened or being threatened by another animal.
This protects their soft bellies from predators while exposing only the outer spines for protection against any attacks that might come their way! When it comes time to give birth, females produce between four and seven babies at a time called ‘hedgepigs’ due to their resemblance to little pink pigs with quills instead of bristles!
Here is a detailed lifecycle of hedgehogs
January and February
Most hedgehogs will be hibernating throughout the winter. They can wake up a little before their hibernation period ends, but they will remain dormant unless startled or when the weather becomes exceptionally mild.
March, April, and May
After spending time in the sun, hedgehogs become more active. To build a nest, females will start looking for nesting materials such as vegetation, leaves, mosses, and dead animal carcasses. She’ll also search for food throughout this period before finding a mate.
June and July
Hedgehog babies are born! The female gave birth to four and seven pups who can grow up to an adult size of six inches (15cm) by August! They may stay with their mother until they’re two months old when she starts weaning them off milk onto solid foods like insects or fruits that fall from trees during this period. This is called ‘quilling’ because young quills start coming out through the skin.
August and September
These months are similar to June and July, but by now, Hedgehogs should be ready for hibernation! They usually start this process around October, just before winter starts again. If you live in an area that doesn’t experience cold winters, hedgehogs might not go into hibernation at all. But if there is snow, it can become much more difficult to find food, so they will opt to sleep away until spring returns once again!
October
Hedgehog babies stay with their mother during these early stages after birth which means she has a litter of up to seven pups each year! When quills come through the skin, it means she needs time alone without her young ones to prepare for hibernation.
November
Hedgehogs are now fully grown! They don’t grow much during the winter, but their weight can increase by up to 40% before they need to start looking for food again come springtime. Their babies will stay with them until around October time after which point mommy hedgehog has to make sure she’s ready for hibernation once more!
December and January
By this stage in December, it is usually cold enough where you’ll find most hedgehogs tucked away under leaves or rocks, hoping not to be disturbed as they sleep through these months of ice and snow that cover the ground outside. Once March arrives, though, it means that summer is just around the corner, so expect to see your hedgehog friends up and about as they look for food to store away in preparation before the next hibernation period begins!
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do hedgehogs get?
They usually get to be about six inches long. They also weigh around two pounds when they are fully grown. The males tend to be bigger than the females and have longer spines on their backs, though it is hard for people who do not know them well to tell which sex a hedgehog belongs to just by looking at its size or weight.
What is a group of hedgehogs called?
A group of hedgehogs is called a “Prickle.”
What’s the average lifespan for a hedgehog?
Hedgehogs can live up to seven years in captivity, but they usually only live around two or three years in the wild.
How fast are hedgehogs?
Hedgehogs are very fast. They can run at speeds of up to five miles per hour when they need to escape danger or catch prey.
What’s the difference between a male and a female hedgehog?
Male hedgehogs have longer spines than females, but it is hard for people who do not know them well to tell which sex a hedgehog belongs to just by looking at its size or weight. Females also come into heat for about four days once every two weeks, whereas males usually only mate during this time period with one female if there are no other rival males in the area!
Are all baby hedgehogs called hoglets?
No – young ones born after August be called “pups” or “hoglets.”
What do hedgehogs eat in the wild?
Hedgehogs eat mostly insects and plants, but they also like to munch on fruits that fall from trees. They can even be found eating small mammals if the opportunity presents itself!
Why are hedgehogs illegal in California?
Hedgehogs are illegal in California because they may carry a parasite that can be hazardous to humans. They also dig up gardens which make them rather unpopular with farmers!
What is the gestation period for hedgehogs?
The gestation period of a Hedgehog is typically around 35-45 days. After this time, females give birth to an average litter size of five hoglets!
How much does a baby hedgehog weigh when it’s born?
A baby Hedgehog is called a “hoglet” and weighs less than one ounce at birth – not even as heavy as half an apple! Their quills have not grown through their skin yet, so they don’t need any protection from being snug.
When do hedgehogs quill?
The quills of a hedgehog will start to grow when they are about three weeks old. They tend not to use their spines for defense until the babies are around four or five weeks old! By this time, you should probably leave them alone with mommy hoglet – unless you want some very painful scratches down your hands and arms!
How do hedgehogs give birth?
The female lies on her side or belly with her front paws outstretched and her rear end raised; she may also stand with her hind legs apart. Hedgehog babies, or “hoglets,” are usually born in the early hours of the morning. The mother will give birth to them, after which she will go away for a few days to search for food!
Where to buy hedgehogs in New Jersey?
You can buy hedgehogs in New Jersey at any of the six licensed pet stores that carry them. These are located in East Brunswick, Middletown, Hillsborough Township, Freehold, Brick, and Toms River!
Where to buy hedgehogs in Ohio?
You can buy hedgehogs in Ohio at any of the five licensed pet stores that carry them. These are located in Columbus, Sharonville, Dublin, West Chester, and Cincinnati!
What sounds do hedgehogs make?
Hedgehogs do not really make any real sound, but they can hiss and snort if threatened. They will also try to roll up into a ball to protect themselves by turning their prickles outward! This makes them look much bigger than normal – which is good for deterring predators away from the hedgehog.
How big do hedgehogs get?
The average length of a hedgehog is around 14 inches long, and the maximum weight for an adult hedgehog is about two pounds. They can get longer if they are overweight!
Where do hedgehogs live in Canada?
Hedgehogs live all over Canada except for the northernmost regions. They can be found in large numbers on farms and will eat insects, snails, slugs, and even mice!
How to treat mites on hedgehogs?
There are many products available to treat mites on pet hedgehogs. The most important thing is that you need to ensure that the product does not contain any Ivermectin, which can be deadly for pets! Talk with your vet about what they recommend and if it’s safe for hedgehogs before using a new treatment method!
How much do pet hedgehogs cost?
The average price of buying an African Pygmy Hedgehog ranges between $300-500 dollars depending on where you purchase them from. They may also require special food or bedding, so make sure you check with the store first to see how much this will cost too before committing yourself to buy one.
What diet should I feed my hedgehog?
Hedgehogs should be fed a special hedgehog diet or cat food that is specifically designed for them. A bowl of mixed fruit and vegetables can also be offered as well as mealworms, crickets or wax worms to supplement the meat-based proteins they are receiving!
How big do pygmy hedgehogs get?
The average length of an African Pygmy Hedgehog is about 12 inches long. They usually weigh around two pounds when fully grown!
Do hedgehogs poop while they run?
Hedgehogs poop and pee all the time, even when they are running. You will usually see a small trail of these behind them as they scurry away from predators! In the wild, hedgehogs poop while they run, and then it stays behind.
How long can hedgehogs go without food?
Hedgehogs can go without food for up to two weeks before they start to starve. If you are keeping your hedgehog as a pet, it is important that you feed it regularly and provide the right diet to keep them healthy!
