Meet the Pets: Suga and Sonic

Here at Sticks Stones and Bonez, our staff have all sorts of furry, scaly, and feathered friends. Or, in this case, prickly! Suga and Sonic are African Pygmy Hedgehogs, or Four-toed hedgehogs, that are about a year old. The species is native to central and eastern Africa, but these two came from a breeder in the United States. Even though they're the same species, the two couldn't be more different.

Suga, or Miss Suga as her owner often refers to her, is a happy little lady who enjoys attention (once she's fully awake). She loves exploring the house and getting treats like cooked chicken, although in moderation due to hedgehogs tendency to overeat and then end up overweight. She doesn't like bathtime, however, and tends to get fussy as soon as she sees she is headed for the sink.

Mr. Sonic is a grumpy gus. He doesn't like being handled by most people and tends to bolt for the nearest hidy hole if he is set down on the floor. His favorite treat is mealworms which he will noisily chow down on no matter who is watching. He enjoys bathtime, unlike his counterpart, and actually seems to enjoy the nail trims that come along with it.

Even though these little critters are adorable and make great pets, it's always necessary to stop and think before bringing a new family member home. Making sure you have everything you need BEFORE they come through the door is important. Hedgehogs require a special diet that includes insects and plenty of protien with low amounts of fat. They can also run severals MILES in a night, so having ample space as well as a running wheel inside of the enclosure is essential. Proper, unscented bedding is also necesary as they are prone to respiritory infection. They are also not social animals, so if you get 2, be ready to set up 2 separate enclosures so they have their own space. And, of course, always do plenty of research before making a final decision. But, as for these two sweethearts, they're happy and healthy pets who have found their forever home.