DESERT HEDGEHOGS ANDTENREC'S

DESERT HEDGEHOGS ANDTENREC'S

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MEET OUR NEW ARRIVAL - NORA (BAT EARS) OUR DESERT HEDGEHOG

Introducing Hogan Hobnob

Desert Hedgehogs are not to be mistaken for the Egyptian Long Eared Hedgehog - there are several differences between the two.

Whilst Egyptian Long Eared Hedgehogs have a reputation for being aggressive, the desert hedgehogs do not show the same scale of aggression.

There is still much to be learnt about this new species and I am enjoying learning more about her each day.

I am currently having a purpose made home built for her as they do require more space than a zoozone provides. She will have a two tier home and the bottom tier will have tunnels and her wheel whilst the top tier will house her nest box and a rummage area.

She is eating cat biscuits, dried mealworms, live mealworms, cooked chicken and cooked mince and tonight she will be trying some roast beef.

I have a male that will be arriving shortly but as the females do not breed until their second year I have plenty of time to get to know them and learn more about them.

My Tenrec's have now been settled into a purpose built arboreal terrarium.

They have cork bark tubes to climb on and sleep in as well as hides on the ground level for them to sleep under.

The enclosure is gently heated with an infrared bulb.

They have wooden logs to climb over although these are not too high to avoid any injuries from falling - they really grip onto your fingers with their paws.

Low water dishes and feeding dishes are used and food is scattered throughout their homes as they fare better when foraging for their food.

The diet that is most readily accepted is dried mealworms, can'o'crickets and a little banana. Live crickets are added twice a week to give them a varied diet and they have taken an odd wax worm.

Their nature is different to the APH - they do not ball up as readily and the spikes are not as hard. The male produces a milk like substance from his eyes that means he is mature enough to mate.

Males and females are harder to sex than APH - our male has an ear tag to indentify him.

We thought that they looked like wombles and gave them appropriate names!

Orinocho - My Male

Orinocho and Madame Cholet

Madame Cholet

I am hoping to start my own breeding programme Spring 2011 and have recently added a new female to my group - introducing below Tessie Termin-eater Tenrec.

Tessie has a very healthy appetite to say the least - she has not turned her nose up at any food to date and she is an absolute joy to have

Tessie

Tessie Termin-eater Tenrec

Interesting Web Sites to Visit

Simply Seahorses

Simply Exotics

Hedgehog Breeders Org

Cheshire Pet Network