Since September, when Jeff surprised me with Kevin's house for my birthday, we have been anxiously waiting and saving for the arrival of Kevin the Hedgehog. Grateful thanks to friends and family who contributed to the fund. Kevin has many kind benefactors.
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| Jeff preparing Kevin's bedroom |
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| The Save-for-Kevin fund. We had a long way to go. Nothing is impossible! |
Finally, one sunny Sunday in early November, our little blue VW trundled through the Bull Mountains outside of Roundup, MT to meet Kevin for the first time. Everyone should check out Cory Freeman's business. She knows what's up with exotic pets.
http://www.animal-edventures.org/
Kevin is 5 months old, older than most hedgies at adoption. Apparently one of her brothers were friskier than anyone thought, and she emerged from the litter ready to start her own family. After her babies were adopted, she was back on the available list, lucky for us. She was alert and friendly from the start, a willing addition to the Bruncoski clan.
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| Kevin's quills are clear indicators of her mood. |
She is curious and quite brave (for a hedgehog), and friendly once she gets to know you. She will ball up and huff like a tea kettle at first, but don't be offended. That is the hedgehog way.
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| Kevin's room--warm, red spaceship. |
Kevin eats cat food, with mealworms for treats. Hedgehogs are insectivores, so in the wilds of Africa, Asia and Europe they feast on grubs, beetles and other insects. She needs an environment between 72 and 85 degrees. Any colder and she will hibernate. They are thought to be one of the first mammals, and haven't evolved much over the last 15 million years. Stubborn little creatures, but why change if the quill-and-ball approach seems to be working. Interestingly, there are hedgehogs in New Zealand, but they were introduced. Have you seen any, Charlie?
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| Kevin is very inquisitive, and always looking for a cozy nook. |
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, and so is Jeff. Who knows what trouble they will get into in the wee hours. I only wake to crumpled aspen shavings on the carpet, an empty water bowl, and dirty dishes from late night snacks. Am I missing out?
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Kevin bonds with Jeff.
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