Can Hedgehogs Swim?
Hedgehogs are terrific swimmers who often swim across bodies of water in the wild in search of food or to escape predators. The quills on a hedgehog’s back contain tiny air chambers and are also made from keratin, the same material that forms our hair, fingernails, and toenails. The composition and low mass of hedgehogs’ quills make them naturally buoyant, which in turn fosters their ability to swim.
This ability makes all hedgehog species natural swimmers, including those living far away from water bodies in the wild. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that some circumstances and characteristics may make some hedgehogs more prolific swimmers than others. For example, the weight and size of a hedgehog can affect the hedgehog’s swimming speed. As such, an obese hedgehog is more likely to swim slower than a skinny one.
Do Hedgehogs Need To Swim?
Though hedgehogs can survive in water and pick up swimming instinctively, they don’t really have to swim at all and will do just fine if they don’t swim in their lifetime. Their ability to naturally float on water and pick up swimming is intuitive rather than necessary. As such, swimming might not be important to a hedgehog if there’s no need to do so.
Though swimming is a fun activity for pet hedgehogs and a fantastic way for them to exercise, it’s not really necessary to make pet hedgehogs swim. Hedgehogs in the wild are entirely different and need to swim if they live around water bodies. Hedgehogs are very forward-minded and prefer doing stuff without thinking about the consequence. So they often jump into bodies of water and instinctively learn how to swim if they get a whiff of food on the opposite side of the water. Hedgehogs in the wild also frequently eat small aquatic animals like frogs, toads, newts, and the variety of insects ponds and streams attract.
Nevertheless, not all hedgehogs have access to bodies of water in the wild. For example, the African pygmy hedgehog, which can be found throughout a sizable portion of Africa, prefers living in grassy areas and open forests. Consequently, most African pygmy hedgehogs may never encounter a sizable body of water in their life, making their natural swimming skill completely unnecessary.
Advantages Of Letting Hedgehogs Swim
Swimming is an excellent way to keep hedgehogs cognitively active. Hedgehogs in the wild are always on the move, constantly searching for their meals while also listening for predators that may snatch them in the twinkle of an eye. As stressful as this sounds, it makes hedgehogs physically fit and mentally active. On the other hand, pet hedgehogs don’t need to stress themselves to survive. All they have to do is wait in their cage for food to appear magically. This ”boring” lifestyle can make pet hedgehogs quickly become bored and obese. That’s why it’s crucial to place accessories like exercise wheels and toys in their cages to keep them busy.
Swimming can also provide mental stimulation and physical exercise for hedgehogs. Including swimming in hedgehogs, activity should be a gradual process, though. It’s best to let hedgehogs get used to water first before you allow them to swim constantly. Just because a hedgehog can instinctively float on water doesn’t mean they needn’t get used to it first.
What Water Temperature Do Hedgehogs Prefer?
Hedgehogs can be harmed if they swim in cold or hot water. So always ensure the water is lukewarm before letting your hedgehog swim in it. You can check the temperature of the water with a thermometer, or you can dip your hands in the water to check too.
How Often Should Hedgehogs Swim?
Swimming twice a month is optimal for hedgehogs. It’s a bad idea to let hedgehogs swim more frequently since too much water can dry out their skin.
How Long Should Hedgehogs Swim For?
There’s no definite answer to this question, so each hedgehog owner should make a decision based on their specific circumstances. For example, it’s best to allow adult hedgehogs to swim longer than younger ones since they have more stamina. Also, obese hedgehogs have a higher chance of getting tired quickly, so they shouldn’t be allowed to spend as much time in the water compared to healthy hedgehogs.
How To Teach A Hedgehog To Swim
As mentioned earlier, hedgehogs naturally learn how to swim in the wild and don’t require any form of assistance to become prolific at it. Consequently, pet hedgehogs also learn how to swim once they spend enough time in the water. However, it’s best to allow hedgehogs to mature before releasing them into the water.
Peaceful Setting
Hedgehogs will require encouragement and a peaceful setting when learning to swim. So it’s recommended to let hedgehogs swim in cozy, quiet locations before they are taken outdoors. Bathtubs and sinks in bathrooms are an excellent place to start.
Don’t Worry About Poop
You can start by gently placing your hedgehog in shallow, lukewarm water to let them get accustomed to the feeling. Some hedgehogs might urinate or poop in the water when stressed or anxious. Don’t worry about this since it’s normal for them to do so. All you have to do when this happens is take them out of the water and try again after a few minutes. Training your hedgehog to use a litter box can also decrease the likelihood of them pooping in the water.
Slowly Guide The Hedgehog
When bathing hedgehogs or attempting to acclimate them to water, it’s important to avoid suddenly dropping them into the water. Hedgehogs get incredibly terrified whenever this happens, so it’s best to slowly guide them into the water instead of dropping them off.
Always Be On The Lookout
Lastly, it is best to avoid leaving hedgehogs unattended in the water, even if they are accustomed to swimming. Hedgehogs can quickly get tired and drown if they can’t get out of the water. So you must either stay with hedgehogs whenever they are in the water or create a channel so they can get out of the water whenever they want to.
Don’t forget to use a warm towel to dry your hedgehog after you take them out of the water.
How To Create A Safe Space For Hedgehogs To Swim In
Hedgehogs frequently drown even though they are prolific swimmers. This usually happens when they dive into bodies of water without an exit point. Hedgehogs aren’t the most intelligent animals in the world and often do not think before making drastic decisions. As a result, they often jump into bodies of water without planning a route to get out of it.
There are also many ways hedgehogs can get hurt when swimming in pools and ponds. So it’s important to ensure whatever place you let your hedgehog swim is safe and secure.
Here are a couple of ways to ensure hedgehogs don’t get hurt when they swim.
Swimming Pool
Ramp
Most natural bodies of water usually have a way to exit them. This could be in the form of a rock, ledge, or a narrow channel. However, these outlets are usually absent from man-made pools since these pools are created for, you guessed it, man. As such, most exits in swimming pools are often made in a way that only humans can use them. That’s why attaching a ramp to your pool is essential if wild hedgehogs frequently visit you or if you own a pet hedgehog. Installing a ramp guarantee that hedgehogs can easily exit the pool whenever they wish.
Fence
You can also keep hedgehogs out of your pool by fencing it with nets. There’s always the possibility that a hedgehog may fail to notice the ramp when it gets scared. So it’s better to keep wild hedgehogs out of the pool entirely, so they don’t drown for whatever reason. On the other hand, it’s best to keep your eyes on your hedgehogs when they are swimming in your pool.
Escape Float
You can also get an escape float if you are unable to fence your pool or keep it covered. An escape float can protect the lives of any small animal, including hedgehogs, that mistakenly falls into your swimming pool.
Chlorinated Water
It’s also essential to stop hedgehogs from swimming in pools with chlorinated water since they are allergic to it. If you decide to let your hedgehog swim in chlorinated water, ensure you rinse them thoroughly with lukewarm water after they are done swimming. Rinsing hedgehogs with lukewarm water helps to wash away the chlorine from their body.
Swimming Pool Machinery
Keep your hedgehog from getting close to any swimming pool machinery. Swimming pool machinery such as filters and heat pumps can grievously injure hedgehogs if they get too close.
Pond
You should place a couple of small rocks so hedgehogs can climb out at the edge of your pond if you have one instead of a swimming pool. You can also create a shallow beached area, affix a pond escape ladder, or use a clean wood plank as a ramp. Nevertheless, ensure you cover your pond with a net if any of the above options are not available to you. It’s better if hedgehogs don’t have access to the pond if there’s no way for them to get out of it.
Hedgehog Pool
You can also build a pool just for your hedgehog if you want them to have their own designated swimming spot. You can create this by using dirt to make a natural slope, fill a tub or any waterproof container with water and then place it on the slope so they can get on and off whenever they want to.
