6 months is the minimum recommended age. The hedgehog's gestation period is about 35 days. Infants are weaned between 3 and six weeks after birth. Infants should not be sold until they reach 8 weeks of age, when they have finally achieved total independence from their mother and are psychologically more able to adjust to a new habitat without excess stress or trauma. Most pet problems arise as a result of youngsters between 5 and 7 weeks of age being purchased.
Hedgehogs are thermo-sensitive, coping poorly with extremes of temperature.
Hedgehogs exhibit similar behavior at high temperatures. Hedgehogs should be given as much space as possible. Otherwise, a mini habitat of at least 8 square feet should be provided. A nest box is essential and may be a gallon container with an entrance cut into it, a four inch diameter section of PVC pipe, or similar sized retreat. Suggested floor coverings are commercially prepared wood cellulose and lignin pellets, pine shavings, or wood pulp fiber.