Heat Source & Thermostats
HEAT SOURCES:
A heat source is an absolute must have for a hedgehog! The ambient air in their cage must be kept at 72-80 degrees F at all times. Ceramic heat emitters (CHE’s) or space heaters are the best choice for a heat source. Heating pads/mats are unsafe as they don’t heat the ambient air in the cage; they can only heat the surface they’re on, they’re known to cause burns to hedgehogs, and they will melt plastic.
For a proper Che set up you need an 8.5-10 inch diameter dome heat lamp with a ceramic or porcelain socket (It’s a fire hazard to use a Che bulb with a lamp that doesn't have a ceramic or porcelain socket), a 100-150 watt Che bulb, a thermostat, and a digital thermometer for in the cage (or a thermostat with a built in digital thermometer). Non-ceramic reptile heat lamps that emit light as well as heat can prevent a hedgehog from being active at night and will disrupt their light/dark cycle which can make them attempt hibernation. Hedgehogs need 12-14 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. Please don’t use a heat bulb that emits light, only use a Che.
THERMOSTAT OPTIONS:
When using a space heater make sure it is regulated by either a built in thermostat or an added on one, & you do still need a digital thermometer for inside the cage to always tell the temperature in the cage at all times. A space heater with a auto shut off sensor on the base is recommended, so that way if the space heater falls over while on it’ll automatically turn off so there’s no risk of a fire starting from it falling over (usually just ceramic space heaters have an auto shut off sensor on the base).
A heat source is an absolute must have for a hedgehog! The ambient air in their cage must be kept at 72-80 degrees F at all times. Ceramic heat emitters (CHE’s) or space heaters are the best choice for a heat source. Heating pads/mats are unsafe as they don’t heat the ambient air in the cage; they can only heat the surface they’re on, they’re known to cause burns to hedgehogs, and they will melt plastic.
For a proper Che set up you need an 8.5-10 inch diameter dome heat lamp with a ceramic or porcelain socket (It’s a fire hazard to use a Che bulb with a lamp that doesn't have a ceramic or porcelain socket), a 100-150 watt Che bulb, a thermostat, and a digital thermometer for in the cage (or a thermostat with a built in digital thermometer). Non-ceramic reptile heat lamps that emit light as well as heat can prevent a hedgehog from being active at night and will disrupt their light/dark cycle which can make them attempt hibernation. Hedgehogs need 12-14 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. Please don’t use a heat bulb that emits light, only use a Che.
THERMOSTAT OPTIONS:
When using a space heater make sure it is regulated by either a built in thermostat or an added on one, & you do still need a digital thermometer for inside the cage to always tell the temperature in the cage at all times. A space heater with a auto shut off sensor on the base is recommended, so that way if the space heater falls over while on it’ll automatically turn off so there’s no risk of a fire starting from it falling over (usually just ceramic space heaters have an auto shut off sensor on the base).
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What Our Clients Are Saying
"Victoria is extremely responsive and knowledgeable. I appreciate that she takes the time to thoroughly answer all questions, and no question is considered trivial. When we decided to get a hedgehog from her, she gave us frequent updates and helped make sure we were fully prepared before we brought home our hedgehog. She assisted me in knowing exactly what food, toys, and cage components were needed. As the babies grew, she did a great job of handling them and socializing them. I can't speak highly enough! We love our hedgehog!"
-Sarah M.