Pet lovers have moved beyond raising the standard cats and dogs to caged animals like hamsters and hedgehogs. These little pets are more convenient since their small sizes and individual properties make them suitable for all homes.

This article outlines “hedgehogs vs hamsters” differences in terms of their care, lifespan, and individual characteristics. We also reveal a few pros and cons of raising either pet to help you decide which one could be more suitable for your personal preferences and current circumstances.

Hedgehogs vs Hamsters

Hedgehogs are covered by spines on their backs with a soft underbelly, unlike hamsters which typically have fur covering practically everywhere. Hedgehogs can live for up to 5 years under the right circumstances but hamsters live only 2-3 years on average.

The table below analyzes a few differences between both pets to make the choice easier for everyone.

Characteristic	Hedgehog	Hamster
Classification	Mammal	Rodent
Size	6-8 inches	6 inches
Lifespan	5 years	2-3 Years
Origin	Europe	Syria
Activity	Nocturnal	Crepuscular
Self-cleaning	No	Yes
Domesticated breeds	2	4
Teeth Number	44	16
Fur	No	Yes
Spines	Yes	No
Gestation Period	30-40 days	16 days
Price	$150-$300	$10-$20

The differences between hedgehogs and hamsters are clear even from a physical viewpoint. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that there are stark contrasts between the two increasingly popular exotic pets.

While hedgehogs may be more suitable for certain folks, others could be swayed towards hamsters.

7 Main Differences: Hedgehogs vs Hamsters

Here are the main differences between hedgehogs and hamsters as we dive deeper into the individual characteristics of each animal to speed up the decision-making.

1. Hedgehogs vs Hamsters: Mammal vs Rodent

Hedgehogs are classified as mammals just like dogs, cats, and humans. They share distant ancestry with Shrews and Moles and appear with spine-filled backs that resemble echidnas (mammals) and porcupines which are classified as rodents.

Hedgehogs are omnivores that feed on a wide range of plants including berries, melons, and grass roots as well as insects and bugs like snails, bird eggs, and frogs.

Hamsters are rodents from the subfamily Cricetenae, the same family as the New World Rats and Mice as well as lemmings, muskrats, and voles. Hamsters rely on seeds, grass, and insects for their nutritional needs in the wild.

They have a large cheek pouch for hoarding food to be consumed later which comes in handy during foraging in the twilight hours of the day. (Source)

2. Hedgehogs vs Hamsters: Nocturnal vs Crepuscular

Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals that spend the whole day sleeping and spring into action at night. However, a few species spend a portion of the day being active. In the wild, their primary places of resting during the daytime include grasses, bushes, rocks, and ground dens.

Hamsters are crepuscular creatures that stay in ground burrows throughout the day, going out an hour or so before sundown and returning after dark. Domesticated breeds typically wake up anywhere from 7 pm to 11 pm to eat, poop, and spring into lively action. (Source)

3. Hedgehogs vs Hamsters: Spines vs Fur

Hedgehogs’ bodies are covered with spines numbering 5,000 to 7,000 depending on factors like age and breed. The spines comprise keratin, the same protein found in the nails and hair of humans. They’re born with baby quills which fall off as they grow to be replaced by matured quills.

The quills can be painful when they accidentally poke your hands after picking them up but they’re neither poisonous nor detachable, unlike porcupines. Stress, old age, and nutritional imbalances can result in quill shedding.

Although some hamsters are born furless, the majority arrive with thick, attractive hairs that add to their cuteness. The hamster’s fur may be black, red, grey, or white depending on the species. Bald patches may appear in hedgehogs as they age or become susceptible to health problems ranging from stress to mite infestations.

4. Hedgehogs vs Hamsters: Expensive vs Cheap

The costs of getting a hedgehog can be steep and most breeders charge anywhere from $150-$300 depending on location and individual factors like the breed. Hedgehogs are expensive because finding one can be relatively harder compared to hamsters.

The cost of setting up a hedgehog habitat together with the purchase of a hoglet could be as much as $500 or even more depending on your personal tastes and circumstances. The high costs can be off-putting forcing many folks to reconsider the whole adventure of raising these cute animals.

Hamsters are probably the cheapest exotic pets available for sale. You could find one for $10 to $15 by walking into your local Petsmart. These pet store chains run promotions on hamster cages frequently helping you pick a large tank for 50 percent off.

You could literally set up a hamster’s habitat completely for less than $150 which is reasonable for many folks’ budgets. The running costs of keeping hamsters are also low and may encompass buying their packaged food as well as occasional treats like mealworms from time to time.

5. Hedgehogs vs Hamsters: High Maintenance vs Low Maintenance

Hedgehogs are relatively high maintenance compared with hamsters due to their naturally grumpy nature. Getting them to warm up to you requires spending extensive time together which can be exhausting if you have to stay up at night to enjoy some playtime.

Handling hedgehogs as a beginner could also be daunting because the spines easily poke the hands resulting in unbearable pain. However, you cannot afford not to hold them because that is the only way to bond and get them to like you.

Hedgehogs love to play once they become familiar with their new surroundings but that means getting a sizable cage that offers more floor space for them to explore. A couple of toys have to be ready in their cages from day one to keep their minds stimulated to prevent boredom.

Hamsters, on the other hand, are low maintenance and remain happy to be left alone for long periods. The lack of poking spines on the hamster’s body means they can be easily handled with no special safety mechanisms in place.

Hamsters are playful and can easily snuggle up to your kids as long as they are instructed on proper handling. Even kids as young as 10 could raise and handle hamsters with little adult supervision when they are passionate about the little creatures.

Hamsters may also share cages with members of the same breed, especially the dwarf hamster species, unlike hedgehogs that are more likely to kill each other when raised in pairs. The trick is to introduce them during infancy to minimize the risk of fights and aggression as they grow up.

6. Hedgehogs vs Hamsters: Long vs Short Lifespan

Hedgehogs typically live up to 5 years when cared for properly and while the duration may not be too long, we still get to spend a considerable amount of time with them. In the wild, hedgehogs could live for up to 8 years in areas with minimal exposure to predators like badgers.

Unlike hamsters, you won’t have to be shopping for a new hedgehog every couple of years because of their extended lifespans. Hedgehogs also seldomly die from random situations unlike hamsters and other pocket-sized rodents.

A sad aspect of raising hamsters is their short lifespans which typically last from 2 to 3 years. However, it is not uncommon for seemingly healthy hamsters to die overnight from unexplained circumstances. Grieving hamsters after a few years can become normal for many of us because they die too quickly.

7. Hedgehogs vs Hamsters Domesticated Breeds: 2 vs 4

There are 17 different species of hedgehogs but only two are domesticated i.e. European Hedgehogs and African Pygmy Hedgehogs. If you plan to raise a hedgehog, the choice is between either species.

Hamsters have 4 domesticated breeds i.e. Syrian hamsters, Campbell’s Dwarf Hamsters, Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters, and Winter White Russian Dwarf hamsters. This provides a higher number of options to choose from.

Conclusion: Hedgehogs vs Hamsters

Hedgehogs can be a great source of entertainment and no wonder their popularity as pets is on the rise across North America. They’re a bit more exotic compared to hamsters and are found in fewer homes which makes you stand out among your peers that may be raising more common pets.

However, the costs involved in sourcing, raising, and maintaining hedgehogs can be steeper compared to many pocket rodents. If money is no object, hedgehogs are probably a better option, especially in the absence of young kids at home that may desire to hold and play with them.

Besides, hedgehogs also live longer than hamsters and can be a great choice for anyone who wants to avoid the emotions associated with grieving a lost pet every few years. Hamsters are infamous for living for only 2 years and sometimes even less from unexplainable situations.

The good news is that hamsters are cheaper to source and raise with their low maintenance being an attractive proposition for many folks. If your budget is low, hamsters are the more viable option especially if you’d rather not have to search for specialized breeders and just want to pick up your pet from the local store.

Weighing the detailed information provided on both sets of pets can help you make the right decision. Always go with your gut because our instincts are usually spot-on.