Showing Your Pet HEDGEHOG

In 1995 the world of hedgehogs changed. That was the year that the first competitive hedgehog show was held. The show was so popular that now there are sanctioned hedgehog shows in several states and Canadian provinces.

Long-eared hedgehog(Hemiechinus auritus) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why there are Hedgehog Shows

The purpose of the hedgehog shows is to encourage hedgehog owners and breeders to adhere to the Standard of Perfection. The Standard of Perfection is a guideline of what the perfect hedgehog should be the type of hedgehog that the breeders should aspire to. The shows are a way to reward the breeders and owners of the hedgehogs who come closest perfection. These hedgehogs are the ones that the judges feel will improve the overall quality of the species.

Types of Classes

At a hedgehog show, there are usually several different classes. The classes are usually divided by things like age, sex, and the color of a hedgehog. The shows try to create a big enough variety in their classes to give each hedgehog an opportunity to compete in lots of classes.

In addition to classes that divide hedgehogs into categories, there are usually classes that separate the youth competitors from adults.

What the Hedgehog is Judged On

When a hedgehog judge looks at a hedgehog they are evaluating several things including; color, quality of the quills, and body shape. All of the judges at hedgehog shows agree that the most important thing to consider when evaluating a hedgehog is the temperament. The first thing they are looking for when evaluating a hedgehog is temperament. These animals are pets, a good, friendly, quiet personality is important. Hedgehogs with ideal conformation but have are high strung or cranky won't place as well as a quiet, friendly hedgehog with mediocre conformation.

Preparing your Hedgehog

Make sure you have a clean cage that you can keep your hedgehog in while you are at the show. The type of cage isn't important. You just want to make sure the cage is safe and clean. Line the cage with fresh bedding. After you have finished preparing the cage, you will want to make sure you have plenty of extra supplies close at hand.

After packing everything you are going to need, it is time to get your pet hedgehog ready. This means it will need a warm bath that will remove any debris from its body. Gently scrub at its quill with a toothbrush. Don't forget to trim your hedgehog's toenails.

How to Enter

If you are interested in entering your hedgehog in a show, you will want to contact the show organizers and have them send you an entry form. Make sure you fill out the entry form correctly and follow the instructions.

By David Sproat Article Source: EzineArticles

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HEDGEHOG Facts

How well do you know hedgehogs? Once relegated strictly to the category of exotic pets, hedgehogs are becoming increasingly common. Read on to test your knowledge of hedgehog facts!

Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), Norwick Hedgehogs, cute though they are, are aliens in Shetland and therefore have detrimental effects on ground-nesting birds, which were used to breeding in a predator-free environment.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hedgehogs and porcupines are related.

Wrong! Porcupines are rodents whereas hedgehogs are small spine covered mammals that are best known for their adorable ability to roll up into a ball. Most hedgehogs live a solitary life, and prefer to be active at night. Unlike the porcupine, hedgehog spines are not barbed or even easily removable.

Hedgehog spines are poisonous.

Wrong again. Hedgehog spines (called quills) are actually defensive evolution that originated with hair that is now made quite stiff by a natural protein called keratin. Hedgehogs are not born with a full set of adult quills, rather these grow in over the course of the first year of life. The process of growing quills and shedding them until a full set of adult quills is obtained is called quilling.

Hedgehogs are prone to rabies because they foam at the mouth.

No! Hedgehogs that foam at the mouth are practicing a normal behavior called "anointing." Essentially what you will see is a hedgehog produce a lot of saliva which he or she then smears all over their quills. There is some debate about why exactly hedgehogs anoint, but experts believe that this is a method hedgehogs use to commit a specific smell to memory.

Hedgehogs are hardy animals

Its easy to assume that because hedgehogs are only recently domesticated and many live in the wild that they must be hardy animals that require little care and attention. This is not true. The natural behaviors that worked well in the wild did not translate well in domestication. One very important example is hibernation. In the wild, during times when extreme temperature would have made finding food unlikely, the hedgehog developed the ability to hibernate until conditions change. This is a tendency that domesticated hedgehogs still have - however - this is actually very dangerous.

When temperatures fall below 73 degrees Fahrenheit (there is some variance from hedgehog to hedgehog when it comes to what is "too cold") pet hedgehogs will attempt to hibernate, however this is not a condition they will naturally wake from and many will just waste away. For this reason it is vital that all hedgehogs are kept in cages or rooms warmed to 73-76 degrees Fahrenheit, and if the first signs of hibernation are seen (listlessness) - warming must occur immediately. If attempts to pull a hedgehog out of hibernation are not effective, then emergency veterinary care must be sought immediately.

By Susana Lenser Susana Lenser has been an avid animal lover all her life. Today, Susana enjoys everything hedgehog! For more great information on hedgehog facts [http://happy-hedgehog-secrets.com/hedgehog-facts] visit Happy Hedgehog Secrets! Article Source: EzineArticles

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