Course Curriculum

• 1. Taxonomy

  This chapter describes the taxonomy of the species and why it is assigned to this genus, as well as several related species within the same genus.

  • 1.1 Taxonomy
    5 minutes
  • 1.2 Closely related species
    30 minutes

• 2. Natural living environment

  This chapter explains the environment that African pygmy hedgehogs live in, the other animals and plants they encounter and the climates within their natural habitat.

  • 2.1 The Sahel
    15 minutes
  • 2.2 Flora
    5 minutes
  • 2.3 Fauna
    5 minutes
  • 2.4 Climate
    20 minutes

• 3. Captivity

  The third chapter is all about how hedgehogs came into our lives as pets and how they developed their roles over time, as well as laws and regulations around hedgehogs in several countries.

  • 3.1 The origin of the hedgehog as a pet
    10 minutes
  • 3.2 Wild caught or African ‘farm’?
    5 minutes
  • 3.3 Newer developments
    5 minutes
  • 3.4 Dutch legislation
    10 minutes
  • 3.5 Other legislations
    15 minutes

• 4. Behaviour

  • 4.1 What is behavior?
    15 minutes
  • 4.2 Normal, abnormal, disturbed and neurotypical behavior
    10 minutes
  • 4.3 Neurotypical behavior: how do you recognize it?
  • 4.4 Recognizing common behaviors
  • 4.5 Anointing

• 5. Housing

  • 5.1 International guidelines
  • 5.2 Types of enclosures
  • 5.3 Maintaining the enclosure
  • 5.4 Enrichment with toys
  • 5.5 Running wheel, or free roaming?
  • 5.6 The right substrate
  • 5.7 Natural or bioactive: the latest trend
  • 5.8 Shelters and sleeping bags
  • 5.9 Water bottles or water bowls; the dangers in a row
  • 5.10 Technique in the hedgehog enclosure

• 6. Care

  • 6.1 The daily health check
  • 6.2 Ears and eyes
  • 6.3 Cutting nails: an impossible task?
  • 6.4 The benefits of a sand bath
  • 6.5 The dangers of washing with water
  • 6.6 Poopboots!

• 7. Nutrition

  • 7.1 The Natural Diet of an African Pygmy Hedgehog
  • 7.2 Food in captivity
  • 7.3 What is a BARF diet?
  • 7.4 Supplements: necessity or unnecessary spending?
  • 7.5 I don’t like dirty insects!
  • 7.6 Are they allowed or not allowed fruit/vegetables?

• 8. Health

  • 8.1 Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome: Trash diagnosis
  • 8.2 Diabetes isn’t just for humans
  • 8.3 Overweight and obesity: What does a normal African Pygmy Hedgehog look like?
  • 8.4 Kidney and liver diseases
  • 8.5 Cancer and tumors: a common problem
  • 8.6 Parasitic Infestations
  • 8.7 Bacteria and viruses
  • 8.8 Fungi: they can make you very sick!
  • 8.9 Syndactyly: how do you recognize this new condition?

• 9. Reproduction

  • 9.1 Why you should not think about breeding as a beginner
  • 9.2 The basic knowledge about reproduction in African Pygmy Hedgehogs
  • 9.3 Looking for a good breeder, or adopting from a shelter?

• 10. Colors

  • 10.1 The origin of the colors of African Pygmy hedgehogs
  • 10.2 Our research: a battle of years for pedigrees
  • 10.3 The colors of African Pygmy hedgehogs
  • 10.4 The patterns of African Pygmy hedgehogs

• 11. Purchase

  • 11.1 Where do you want to buy an African Pygmy hedgehog?
  • 11.2 Pay attention: the quick health check
  • 11.3 Legal guarantees: what if the hedgehog gets sick?
  • 11.4 Prepare well!
  • 11.5 The ultimate checklist

• 12. Exam

  • Exam quiz
    0 question10 minutes