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.

  • The Sahel
  • Flora
  • Fauna
  • Climate

• Captivity

  • The origin of the hedgehog as a pet
  • Wild caught or African ‘farm’?
  • Newer developments
  • Dutch legislation
  • Other legislations

• Behaviour

  • What is behavior?
  • Normal, abnormal and disturbed behavior
  • Neurotypical behavior: how do you recognize it?
  • Recognizing common behaviors
  • Anointing

• Housing

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

• Care

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

• Diets

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

• Health

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

• Reproduction

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

• Colors

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

• Purchase

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

• Exam

  • Exam quiz
    0 question10 minutes