African pygmy hedgehogs are popular exotic pets, but their specialized nocturnal needs and health vulnerabilities make them demanding companions requiring informed care.
Hedgehog welfare in captivity is frequently compromised by misunderstanding of their behavioral ecology. As nocturnal animals running enormous distances nightly, hedgehogs in small cages without large exercise wheels develop obesity, muscle weakness, and behavioral frustration. Their need to run is not optional enrichment — it is a fundamental behavioral drive. Environmental temperature management is critical: temperatures below 18°C can trigger torpor attempts that are physiologically dangerous in animals not adapted for true hibernation. Socialization affects welfare differently by sex: females can coexist with care, while males are typically solitary and aggressive together. Veterinary care is challenging as hedgehogs are often stoic, have poor visibility of health problems under their spines, and require anesthesia for thorough examination. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome, which causes progressive paralysis, is unfortunately common and its management requires compassionate end-of-life decision-making.