Can Hedgehogs Jump? (7 Interesting Facts)

Whether you’ve always dreamed of adopting a hedgehog or want to take care of the one that comes into your garden every night, everyone likes to interact with the hedgehogs. They are not only cute but very great to be petted.

Being so cute but so small makes many people wonder can hedgehogs jump? On the opposite of many myths, hedgehogs can jump with their legs. However, hedgehogs don’t jump for no reason. The jump of hedgehogs isn’t very high. Being small animals they make small jumps when they feel stressed.

A hedgehog jumps only when they are stressed or feel anxious. It is important to understand that a hedgehog is a wild animal and jumping in a hedgehog is a natural reflex. They use it as a defense to save themselves from predators.

Can Hedgehogs Jump?

Being so small and considerably heavy according to their size may make the hedgehog owners wonder can hedgehogs climb or jump? Hedgehogs can jump but hedgehogs don’t jump to play. Hedgehogs jump when they are stressed, many people find this habit in their pet hedgehog and don’t know what it is for.

Overall to answer: can hedgehogs jump in groups or can a hedgehog jump alone or not? Yes, hedgehogs can jump but they don’t jump together. They jump when they are stressed. Being a wild animal it is not easy to pet hedgehogs so the owners should know that there are several things to know about this animal before embarking on such an adventure.

What Does It Mean When A Hedgehog Jumps?

Can hedgehogs climb or jump? Yes, hedgehogs can jump or climb. This is their instinct. In the wild, a hedgehog jumps to protect itself from a predator, it is a defensive action. If a hedgehog is jumping or climbing it can mean that a hedgehog is stressed or anxious about something. 

How High Can Hedgehogs Jump?

Many people ask can hedgehogs jump, if so, how high can a hedgehog fall?  Yes, Hedgehogs can jump as long as 12 to 16 inches, not more than that. While jumping hedgehogs can cover a distance of around 20 inches per jump.

Why Do Hedgehogs Jump When You Pet Them?

Hedgehogs jump when they are stressed or anxious. Additionally, hedgehogs also don’t like the company of humans that much. So if the hedgehog is jumping when the owner pets it, it is probably causing it stress so it should be avoided.

Do Hedgehogs Really Run Fast?

Hedgehogs can run but that isn’t too fast nor too slow. An average hedgehog will run at the speed of 4-5 mph.

Are Hedgehogs Aggressive?

No, hedgehogs are not aggressive to humans. Neither do hedgehogs bite or give any other harm to humans, However, hedgehogs do tend to avoid humans if they are not comfortable dealing with them. Hedgehogs show symptoms like creating a ball of spikes or hiss or jumping away from humans rather than attacking the humans.

How High Can A Hedgehog Climb?

Hedgehogs can climb trees and swim quite efficiently. However, hedgehogs don’t climb regularly. They can do so but don’t practice climbing regularly. On average a hedgehog can climb a tree or a cage similar to the height of a tree.

How Do Hedgehogs Get Into A Fenced Garden?

A hedgehog can enter the garden in many ways like through old tree roots, underground holes made by rabbits. There are some places where a hedgehog can hide in the garden like under a leaf stack which is considered their favorite place. Hedgehogs can also get into the garden through the tree trunks spread outwards of the garden.

Factors To Consider Before Petting A Hedgehog

1. A Wild Animal

Let it be clear, the hedgehog is not a pet. It is a wild animal and therefore not very affectionate, shy, even fearful. Indeed, it often takes months before a hedgehog gets used to being handled, which can discourage the owners. Sometimes it even happens that the hedgehog, depending on its temperament, never gets used to the presence of its owner.

But it can nonetheless coexist with humans and other animals. However, given that this is an “exotic” animal, it is mandatory to have a certificate of competence if you wish to adopt one.

2. A Need For Space

It is strongly recommended not to adopt a hedgehog if you live in an apartment or a house near a busy road. Indeed, even if you can arrange an enclosure for it, the hedgehog is an animal that has a great need for freedom.

And for good reason, the hedgehog moves around a lot every day. It is therefore essential that it can leave the garden to go for a walk elsewhere, especially at night.

Indeed, it is a nocturnal animal that goes in search of food at night and which hides during the day preferably in a pile of leaves or branches. To let it wander as it pleases, consider making openings for it in the wire mesh or fence.

And rest assured, if the owners’ home provides him with all the peace and nourishment he needs, he will always come back.

3. Avoid Hugs

In addition to having quills on the back, the contact of which can sometimes be painful, the hedgehog can carry the parasites (fleas, ticks) but also salmonella bacteria, responsible for salmonellosis in humans.

So, to avoid getting sick, be careful not to kiss or cuddle the hedgehog. This will prevent any germs from spreading to the owners’ faces, especially the mouth. For this reason, adopting a hedgehog is not recommended for people with a weakened immune system (young children, the elderly, sick people).

In addition, always remember to wash your hands well after having touched the hedgehog or after having handled its accessories (bowls, bedding, toys, etc.). In addition, disinfect its environment regularly.

4. Appropriate Food

In nature, the hedgehog is omnivorous. It eats slugs as well as earthworms, spiders and insects. He is also an excellent ally of the gardener. In autumn, when food in the garden is scarce, the owners shouldn’t hesitate to offer the hedgehog cat food or special hedgehog food. But the owners should be careful, as they shouldn’t give the hedgehog milk or bread!

Also, the owners should always make sure that a hedgehog has access to fresh, clean water!

5. A Temperate Environment

The concern when you want to adopt a hedgehog is that you have to be able to provide it with an environment where the temperature is between 24 and 30 ° C all year round. Indeed, if the temperature drops below 18 ° C, the hedgehog can get cold, and therefore die. On the other hand, if the temperature rises above 30 degrees, heatstroke is also a possibility.

If the owners of hedgehogs manage to meet all the essential needs of the hedgehog mentioned above, this exotic but small animal will be able to live up to 7 years!

Final Verdict – Can Hedgehogs Jump

Hedgehogs are always trending to become pets of many people. Their cute little body is what makes them special. However many owners ask, do hedgehogs jump? Or can hedgehogs jump somehow? And also ask the reason for the jump. It should be noted that a hedgehog jumps when it is stressed.

The owners should look for stressful factors including their behavior, temperament, over-handling bad food that can contribute towards the stress in hedgehogs and make the appropriate changes accordingly. Furthermore, the owners should also maintain a distance from their pets.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet hedgehog a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️