If you’ve recently brought a new hoglet home, it is only right to want to know what to expect in terms of size and weight at each stage of development. This can provide regular clues about the hedgehog’s state of health.
This article answers the question “How Big Do Hedgehogs Get?” by uncovering the size requirements for different hedgehog varieties at varying stages of their lives. This can provide clarity as to whether your hedgehog is overweight or underweight for the right measures to be put in place.
Table of Contents
How Big Do Hedgehogs Get?
Adult hedgehogs weigh 300-500 grams (10-17 ounces) with a length of 16 cm (6 inches). Factors like malnutrition, overnutrition, pregnancy, and childbirth can affect the hedgehog’s weight upwards or downwards. The African pygmy hedgehogs typically weigh lower than the European hedgehog and many other breeds.
Hedgehog owners that follow their vet’s requirements in terms of vaccination, feeding, and other care instructions often have nothing to worry about because their pets enjoy healthy growth. Trouble typically starts brewing when owners go rogue by feeding diets that contain inadequate or excessive amounts of fats, proteins, and vitamins.
Food portion is another key element that can determine a hedgehog’s weight and growth rate. The average hedgehog requires 70-100 calories a day which translates to 1-3 tablespoons of food. Hedgies are likely to appear malnourished when they are served less than a tablespoon of food daily while overfeeding can also result in obesity and related side effects.
Are European Hedgehogs Larger Than African Pygmy Hedgehogs?
The average-sized adult European hedgehog is considerably larger than the African Pygmy hedgehogs due to genetic factors. The differences can be so wide that a European hedgehog in the wild could be 2-3 times the size of an African Pygmy hedgehog.
The weight differences between the two most popular breeds may also be large which explains why the African pygmy hedgehogs are more popular. Many folks are interested in raising lightweight pet hedgehogs because of their generally easier handling requirements.
Obviously, the smaller the size, the smaller a hedgehog’s dietary needs which can be cost-saving in pet food expenses.
Are Female Hedgehogs Physically larger Than Males?
Whether you plan to raise a European Hedgehog or African Pygmy hedgehog, know that the females typically appear larger than males. Sure, pregnancy and childbirth could put additional weight on the female’s body.
However, even female hedgehogs that have never been pregnant may still look larger than their male counterparts in some cases. There are other situations where males can appear larger than females so gender-based size variations are not set in stone among hedgehogs, unlike some other animals.
What is The Size of Hoglets At Birth?
Newborns typically weigh 1-3 ounces at birth with a length of 1-2 inches depending on factors including genetics and the quality of their care during pregnancy. Receiving the right nutrition during gestation often enables delivery of hoglets at the higher end of the weight spectrum and vice versa.
What is The Size of Hedgehogs at 1 Month Old?
The average 1-month-old hedgehog weighs 4-6 ounces which translates to a 3-ounce weight gain potential assuming they receive quality breast milk. But, the length often stays stagnant.
How Big Do Hedgehogs Get At 2 Months Old?
The weight range of healthy hedgehogs is 7-9 ounces at 2 months old with a likelihood of their length increasing up to 4 inches. The quality of nutrition can make a huge difference at this period in their development which is why lactating hedgehog mothers should be provided nutritious foods.
What is A Typical 3-Month Old Hedgehog’s Size?
At 3 months old, hedgehogs weigh 10-12 ounces with an average length of 2-4 inches. This is the period where they’ve developed their teeth and should be enjoying nutritious cat food.
3-month-old hoglets should have been weaned off their mother’s breast milk and arrived in a new home assuming they were bred commercially.
What is The Size of A 4-Month Old Hedgehog?
Hedgehogs may gain up to 3 ounces of weight from months 3 to 4 and this is where their lengths begin to experience a considerable surge. Hedgehogs may weigh 13-15 ounces at 4 months with lengths ranging anywhere from 4-12 inches.
How Much Should A 5-month Hedgehog Weigh?
The hedgehog’s weight should be taking shape at 5 months old and they may weigh up to 2 pounds depending on breed, quality of diet, and general state of health. Their lengths typically enjoy some growth during this month as well.
How Big Are Hedgehogs At 6 Months?
European Hedgehogs could weigh as much as 3 pounds at 6 months while most African Pygmy Hedgehogs weigh 2 pounds or slightly more. Hedgehogs reach adulthood at 6 months meaning physical growth likely stops but the situation may be different in other breeds.
Some breeds reach full adulthood in 11-12 months leading to a more stable weight and body length. Some factors could be out of the hedgehog owner’s control including breed and genetics but the quality of diet and overall care provided can also influence when a hedgehog physically reaches full adulthood.
Factors Affecting The Size of Hedgehogs
Here are the main factors that can determine the size of hedgehogs at each stage of development from infancy to adulthood.
DNA
As previously stated, genetics play a huge role in how big and long a hedgehog can reach. This includes not only the hedgehog’s gender but additional factors like the breed. For instance, the average European hedgehog can weigh up to 27.5 ounces, unlike the African Pygmy Hedgehogs which weigh approximately 16 ounces.
The length of European Hedgehogs may also hover around 9.5 inches while the African Pygmy hedgehogs often reach no more than 8.2 inches long.
Diet
Hedgehogs consume a wide variety of insects in the wild including beetles, slugs, spiders, caterpillars, and frogs. While some trees and fruits may also be consumed, protein-based diets make up the majority of their nutritional base.
But domesticated breeds rely on cat food or packaged hedgehog diets on pet store shelves. Others may choose dog food instead of cat food. Insects like mealworms and crickets are thrown into the mix as are fruits and vegetables. Juveniles require high-protein diets with fats making no more than 20 percent.
However, older hedgehogs do not require as much protein due to their weaker internal organs. Diets containing up to 20 percent protein should be able to meet their needs.
State of Health
A hedgehog’s state of health can also determine its size at each stage of development. Buying one saddled with health problems could result in abnormally low weights since sickness can take a heavy toll on their appetite.
Sick hedgehogs may also be prone to lethargy resulting in little to no physical activity and abnormal weight gain.
How To Know When Your Hedgehog is Underweight
The best way to verify whether hedgehogs are underweight is to put them on a weight scale. The recorded weight can be measured against the average weights estimated above at different ages for clarity on whether your hedgehog needs to gain or lose weight.
How To Know When Your Hedgehog is Overweight
The weight scale is obviously the best way to figure out when a hedgehog is overweight but there are numerous physical signs that can provide clues too.
- Extra skin in the hedgehog’s underarms
- Hedgehog displays a double chin
- Hedgehog walks around with a hump on its shoulders
- Exhaustion after walking around for a couple of minutes
- Inability to run on their wheels for extended periods
How To Measure Your Hedgehog’s Length?
Unlike their weight which can be easily measured by putting your hedgehog on a kitchen scale, length measuring can be a bit complicated. The latitudinal circumference of a hedgehog is measured by wrapping a tape around its middle section.
Longitudinal circumference requires wrapping the tape around the length of the hedgehog’s full exterior while the tape remains under the hedgehog’s body.
Where to Purchase A Healthy hedgehog
Hedgehogs are best ordered from USDA-certified breeders with solid reputations for practicing ethical breeding. A quick glance through hedgehog forums can uncover raving reviews about such breeders who can be contacted for a visit.
Sourcing hoglets from a local breeder is always recommended because not only can you pay a visit for a first-hand experience of their breeding setup but it can also save the costs of shipping. Simply drive up to pick up your brand new hoglet on the agreed date with the breeder.
What Are The 17 Breeds of Hedgehogs?
Here are the 17 breeds of hedgehogs discovered at the moment.
1. European Hedgehog
The European hedgehog or Erinaceus europaeus is one of the two most popular domesticated breeds in North America. They originate from European countries like France, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom and typically appear in a blonde or black-brown color.
While they originally preferred thick forests and woodlands, they’ve adapted to living in urban environments in recent times. Their length typically ranges between 8 to 10 inches but 12-inches have also been recorded.
Wild breeds prefer a diet of insects and bugs including spiders, frogs, slugs, roaches, and crickets. Domesticated European hedgehogs enjoy eating tasty cat food with a bit of fruit, vegetables, and animal proteins like hardboiled eggs.
2. African Pygmy Hedgehog
The African Pygmy Hedgehog or Atelerix albiventris is the most popular breed raised in homes around the world. They originate from Sub-Sharan African grasslands and are smaller than the European Hedgehogs at only eight inches long making them much easier to handle in domesticated settings.
African Pygmy Hedgehogs are also known as four-toed hedgehogs and appear in largely white bodies with dark heads. Their adaptability to numerous settings is one of their greatest strengths and do not be surprised to see them swimming or even climbing trees.
The African Pygmy Hedgehog’s diet consists of insects like cockroaches, larvae, snails, vegetables, and fruits. They are very vocal by communicating a myriad of noises to exhibit their state of mind at any point in time.
3. Amur Hedgehog
Amur Hedgehogs or Erinaceus amurensis originate from Korea, China, Southern Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. They share common features with the European hedgehog including similar lengths of 12 inches in adulthood.
They have extremely long tails of up to 6cm which stands out among all the other breeds with tails averaging 2cm long.
4. Somali Hedgehog
Native to the Somalian woodlands, these hedgehogs classified as the Atelerix sclateri feature darkish quills with brownish fur on their legs. Their stomachs are typically white and they grow up to 5 inches in length even in adulthood.
5. Southern African Hedgehog
Just like the name sounds, the Southern African Hedgehog originates from South Africa and neighboring countries like Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. It hibernates when exposed to harsh winters and typically appears in a white striped brown body with black legs.
They feed on tree barks and roots as well as slugs, worms, fruits, vegetables, and other available vertebrates in their habitat.
6. Northern African Hedgehog
Native to the Mediterranean coasts of Algeria, Morroco, and Libya, the Atelerix algirus is a light-colored breed with no spines on its crown. With thick forests in their locations, they hardly stay in grasslands and rely on nutritious diets comprising insects, worms, fruits, vegetables, and mollusks.
7. Southern White-breasted Hedgehog
With many similar features to the European Hedgehog, the Southern White-breasted Hedgehog or Erinaceus concolor is native to different areas of South West Asia and Europe. The main difference between these breeds and the European hedgehog is their limited length at only nine inches.
They’re creative in preparing nests made from grass and leaves in woodlands because they do not burrow underground.
8. Hugh’s Hedgehog
Hugh’s hedgehogs are native to Central China and thrive in open fields instead of thick forests. Their distinct behavior of foraging for food during the daytime makes them stand out against most hedgehog species that spend the whole day sleeping and only come out when hungry at night.
Their length is typically 7-8 inches which makes them similar to African Pygmy Hedgehogs in size.
9. Bare Bellied Hedgehog
The Bare-bellied hedgehog is one of the rarest breeds and was previously believed to be extinct until a few years ago when they were spotted again in certain parts of India. Not much is known about this rare breed.
10. Daurian Hedgehog
The Daurian Hedgehog or Mesechinus dauuricus, is a rare species found in the Russian, Mongolian, Kazakh, and Georgian forests. Their lengths range from 6 to 8 inches and adapt to the cold in their native areas by hibernating year-round.
They are classified as an endangered species of hedgehogs with a real risk of going into extinction.
11. Long-Eared Hedgehog
Native to the Central Asian region, this breed of hedgehogs struggle to adapt to harsh weather because they barely hibernate. Their homes are created in thick burrows in bushes and appear with long ears that make them stand out from other hedgehog breeds.
Long-eared hedgehogs are known for their speed which serves as their main defensive mechanism when pursued by predators in the wild. Their relatively shorter spines make curling up not as effective in repelling predatory attacks as other hedgehog breeds.
Their lengths typically hover around 8 inches which is an advantage when they need maximum speed to run from life-threatening situations.
12. Indian Long-Eared Hedgehog
Indian Long-Eared Hedgehogs or Hemiechinus collaris, are native to India and Pakistan. At a length of only 6 inches, they’re much smaller than the majority of hedgehog breeds. Males are very active and actively pursue females by performing distinct ritual dances to catch their attention.
Indian long-eared hedgehogs have a dark appearance with long ears and thrive in harsh weather including hot summers and chilly winters. Insects like spiders, bugs, beetles, and vertebrates such as slugs serve as their main source of food in the wild.
13. Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog
Northern White-Breasted hedgehogs originate from Northern European countries like Germany, Poland, Greece, and Macedonia. They are one of the largest breeds with a length that stretches up to 14 inches.
Their bodies are largely white with a distinct jawline being the major difference with European Hedgehogs.
14. Gaoligong Forest Hedgehog
Gaoligong Forest Hedgehogs are native to the forest reserve of the same name in Mt. Gaoligong in China. Recently discovered a few years ago, this breed features distinctive spine colors unlike the traditional colors found in other breeds.
15. Brandt’s Hedgehog
Brandt’s Hedgehogs are native to the Middle East and parts of central Asia including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen. The breed was discovered by and named after Johann Friedrich Von Brandt. Brandt hedgehogs share numerous characteristics with European hedgehogs including a dark body and long ears but their length can reach up to 10 inches.
Curling up into a ball is their main defense mechanism but do not be surprised when they jump to startle potential predators.
16. Indian Hedgehog
Indian hedgehogs have a raccoon-like appearance that makes them thrive in the sandy deserts across different regions in India. They adapt to not only scorching hot desert weather but cold winters as well.
17. Desert Hedgehog
Desert Hedgehogs originate from desert areas across North Africa and the Middle East. They enjoy a rich nutritional base from eating desert scorpions and snakes as well as other insects and frogs. Desert hedgehogs are some of the smallest breeds out there.
Conclusion: How Big Do Hedgehogs Get?
Hedgehogs may reach specific sizes depending on factors like breed, diet quality, and gender. Keeping track of the hedgehog’s weight and length from the first day of arrival can help keep track of whether normal growth is being achieved.
Hedgehogs found to be underweight should be placed on specialized diets with higher fat and protein content to help them bulk up. The opposite should be done for overweight hedgehogs in terms of their diet but don’t forget to provide the right conditions for more physical activity as well.