Hedgehogs face a conservation crisis in Europe while simultaneously being traded as exotic pets globally. Understanding both dimensions is essential for addressing their welfare effectively.
The hedgehog presents a dual welfare picture. In Europe, wild hedgehogs are declining rapidly, suffering population-level consequences of human land use changes. In the pet trade, African pygmy hedgehogs are kept in conditions that often fail to meet their specialized needs. Both dimensions deserve attention. Wild hedgehog conservation requires landscape-scale changes in agricultural and suburban land management. Pet hedgehog welfare requires better education at point of sale, stronger regulations on exotic animal keeping, and recognition that hedgehogs are not suitable pets for most households.