Young Southern African Hedgehogs Rescued

The following story about Southern African hedgehogs was submitted by Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in South Africa.

A collection of seven little Southern African hedgehoglets (Atelerix frontalis) have recently graduated to an outside enclosure after being carefully raised from young.

All admitted for different reasons, we are glad they could grow up together. Three hedgehoglets were found initially, and then a subsequent fourth hoglet two days later on a small holding, without their mum around. Another was found potentially dumped on the side of the road, with a mom cat and two kittens. A sixth hedgie was found alone on the side of the road, and another transferred from Fourways Vet Hospital.

Some of the weaker ones were syringe-fed a special milk formula and then EmerAid IC Carnivore until they were strong enough to eat on their own. While EmerAid Carnivore was a firm favorite, each slowly transitioned to a variety of insects (with additional nutritional supplements).

Soon enough, this now highly secretive and elusive bunch will be released into a hedgehog-friendly environment.