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Feeding and Nutrition

General Nutrition

bigdaddyhedg
User

Posts: 21

mealworms and crickets only treats? - 2008/02/05 19:18 When I first got my two hedghogs all I did was read on nutrition and health facts. One thing I ran into allot was (NEVER FEED YOU'RE HEDG INSECTS AS A STAPLE ). I found this strang considering in the wiled they are insectivores I would assume a diet of all insects would be more healthy then cat food.

Are there any breeders here who use insects as a staple?

If so how good is it for them compared to cat food?

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starnightstarsky2000

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Posts: 287

Re:mealworms and crickets only treats? - 2008/02/05 21:48 Bigdaddy,
I can help you with the question of why we don't feed our hedgies straight insects, as no one (even with the wheels) have enough space to allow their hedgie to travel 7 acres in a 8-12 hour time(plus as we can't even guess as to what a good number of insects would be for them to "hunt" and even more how many they miss as they would in the wild) therefore cat food which is high in protein is used instead.

Post edited by: starnightstarsky2000, at: 2008/02/05 21:50 Dani Marshall Kansas
Lots Of Love Exotic Small Animal Kennel
"From Our Heart To Yours"
http://www.exotic-mammals.4t.com

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jick

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Posts: 290

Re:mealworms and crickets only treats? - 2008/02/05 21:56 Also, just a guess here.. but I doubt that wild African hedgehogs actually eat any mealworms. Instead, wouldn't they be eating an entirely different set of insects native to Africa? So it's probably a combination of not knowing exactly what they eat, how much they eat and over what period of time and/or length they traveled to find it.

Maybe in a few years

when hedgehogs are common household pets

someone will thoroughly research their diet for us.

Check out Ham's Blog !

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Stasi

Admin

Posts: 614

Re:mealworms and crickets only treats? - 2008/02/06 00:41 In addition, hedgehogs are formally classified as insectivores. However, they are opportunistic hunters, and eat what they find. That can include insects, but also small mammals, lizards and snakes. The hedgehogs that were originally imported to North America were scavengers in garbage heaps! Stasi
Terrapin Hedgehogs
Joppa, MD
www.terrapinhedgehogs.com

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bigdaddyhedg
User

Posts: 21

Re:mealworms and crickets only treats? - 2008/02/06 22:07 starnightstarsky2000 wrote:
Bigdaddy,
I can help you with the question of why we don't feed our hedgies straight insects, as no one (even with the wheels) have enough space to allow their hedgie to travel 7 acres in a 8-12 hour time(plus as we can't even guess as to what a good number of insects would be for them to "hunt" and even more how many they miss as they would in the wild) therefore cat food which is high in protein is used instead.<br><br>Post edited by: starnightstarsky2000, at: 2008/02/05 21:50

I see you're point but I would have to counter it by pointing out the fact that they are nocturnal which means they sleep all day are active at night. In Africa the nights are considerably shorter then the days then lets say here where I live in Illinois.

They are also subterraneans in nature which means there not a very active group. I cant see how insects which of any kind are high in protean low in fat, could hurt a hedgehog that lives in a cage using a wheel.

Post edited by: bigdaddyhedg, at: 2008/02/06 22:09

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aislinsadia

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Posts: 501

Re:mealworms and crickets only treats? - 2008/02/07 04:57 bigdaddyhedg wrote:

I see you're point but I would have to counter it by pointing out the fact that they are nocturnal which means they sleep all day are active at night. In Africa the nights are considerably shorter then the days then lets say here where I live in Illinois.

They are also subterraneans in nature which means there not a very active group. I cant see how insects which of any kind are high in protean low in fat, could hurt a hedgehog that lives in a cage using a wheel.<br><br>Post edited by: bigdaddyhedg, at: 2008/02/06 22:09

It actually depends on the time of year for how long nights/days are in Africa. Just because it's sunny and hot (think equator) a lot of the time doesn't mean it equates to our summers where the days are longer and the nights are shorter.

Also, keep in mind that although they are insectivors as well as opportunistic feeders, the nutrition content of mealworms, waxworms, and crickets isn't exactly giving them all of the nutrition that they need. They aren't exactly low in fat either. Unlike other species of reptile who CAN survive on a staple diet of these said insects, hedgehogs have a completely different digestive system and have nutritional needs than other insectivors. Unfortunately there aren't a whole lot of studies that have been done about the nutritional needs of African pygmy hedgehogs either, so we still don't know what is the best diet for AP Hedgehogs.

You might be interested in the presentation that Dr. Graffam of the Bronx Zoo gave at a hedgehog convention in 1998, summarizing her research on hedgehog nutrition. Although it is ten years old, I think most people here would agree the information is still pretty accurate. What I like about it, is that she admits where more information is needed.

Here is the outline of the presentation she gave posted on a website:

http://www.petshub.com/hedgehog/hedgehog-nutrition-research.php

In it she discusses some of the reasons why insects only may not be the best idea for a diet and what you can do to make the insects more nutritious. *~*Steph*~*
Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittens), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), Aries & Artemis (fancy guppies), Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs), and Squiggles (Blue Mystery Snail)

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Julie Pierce

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Posts: 984

Re:mealworms and crickets only treats? - 2008/02/07 07:56 Interesting article, thank you for posting the link. I am in the process of going towards a whole foods diet for 2 of my hedgehogs both of which have health issues and issues with maintaining wt. We have just started and I have not by any means refined the diet yet but I am anxious to see if I notice any improvement on my two girls. Julie Pierce
Pierce's Pogs
http://www.piercespogs.com

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aislinsadia

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Posts: 501

Re:mealworms and crickets only treats? - 2008/02/08 06:41 Julie Pierce wrote:
Interesting article, thank you for posting the link. I am in the process of going towards a whole foods diet for 2 of my hedgehogs both of which have health issues and issues with maintaining wt. We have just started and I have not by any means refined the diet yet but I am anxious to see if I notice any improvement on my two girls.

Interesting, you'll have to let us know how it goes and what you ended up feeding them

. *~*Steph*~*
Cotton, Noodles & Cocoa (hedgehogs), Kuruku & Kimiko (kittens), Sushi & Lily (Ryukin Goldfish), Rosy & Ruby (beagle sisters), Aries & Artemis (fancy guppies), Archie & Rocky (African Dwarf Frogs), and Squiggles (Blue Mystery Snail)

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