DIET: Hedgehogs are insectivores. In the wild, they eat crickets small frogs, lizards, snakes, spiders, small mammals such as pinkies, bird eggs, young birds, and small rodents. They especially love to eat mealworms. Dry hedgehog food is available as a staple diet. You can add fruits in small amounts such as bananas, apples, melons, pears and proteins on the side to give them a complete diet. Foods should be offered at room temperature. Fresh water should be given daily in either a small heavy food dish or in a water bottle. BONDING: Hedgehogs make great pets. To bond with your hedgehog, you should handle him/her for at least 15 minutes per day. You can use a spatula, gloves, or a towel to pick him/her up if he/she is curled up in a ball. Once you place him/her in your hand or on the spatula they will slowly start to uncurl and become curious. They will begin sniffing the area or your hand or in your lap for at least 15 minutes. Repeat daily and try and increase the amount of time each day. They also like to be talked to. This is a good habit to begin because it lets them know your voice. Some hedgehogs will actually respond to the sound of your voice and will in turn unroll themselves and walk right into your hand. CAGES: A 30 gallon aquarium or larger is the best cage to use. It is easy to clean and easy to disinfect. Wire cages can also be used without the wire bottoms. Cages should be spot cleaned daily and sanitized at least once or twice a week. You should also make sure that the temperature in the aquarium does not reach below 70 degrees or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. TOYS: Hedgehogs like little plastic balls to roll and other little toys they can push around. EXERCISE: Large Wodent Wheels or Comfort Wheels are the best to use. Wire wheels are not recommended because they can hurt their little feet or actually break a leg. You can also allow your hedgehog to roam the room as long as it is hedgie proofed. Never leave your hedgehog unsupervised.