Hedgehogs/Expert Profile

Expertise

Can answer care, health, & behavioral questions, as well as basic breeding questions. Can help questioner figure out if a hedgehog is the right pet for them.

Experience in the area

Have had hedgehogs since 2001 - 12 so far. I have no experience with non-weaned babies, and limited experience with breeding and with pregnant hedgehogs. I have had too much experience with WHS (Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome). I would rate myself "expert" at syringe-feeding, and as "advanced" at performing SubQs.

Organizations

I am a Certified Judge for the IHA, and run a rescue station for the HWS.

Education/Credentials

I read everything I can get my hands on. Have read the best of the books, Dawn's Wrobel's THE HEDGEHOG and Tig M-Burleson's THE HEDGEHOG PRIMER. I am a member of the International Hedgehog Association (IHA) and Hedgehog Welfare Society (HWS), and have been a member of various online bulletin board groups since 2002.
Have attended many hedgehog shows.

What do you like about this subject?

I love hedgehogs. There are captivating, fascinating little creatures. I like the fact that many people have heard about hedgehogs and would like to hear more, but don't always have the opportunity.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I'd like to do a breeding, once, to experience raising & socializing hoglets. I'd like to give educational presentations on hedgehogs to schools, etc. I'd like to help the hedgehog community make more progress in promoting the health and longevity of pet hedgehogs; I would like to live to see Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) eradicated.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Hedgehogs, contrary to statements in some books, have good eyesight (in low light) & hearing, along w/ a keen sense of smell, and they are not always solitary. They are not prey animals (though other animals do prey on them), but are predators w/ binocular vision. They have great emotional intelligence. They are the oldest living mammals in existence and date back to the dinosaurs.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

The question of how to reverse genetic defects and illnesses that appear to have developed through breeding from a too-small pool.