Origins & evolution

Before we welcome a hedgehog into our homes, it helps to understand where they come from, both in the wild and through history. In this lesson, we’ll explore the evolutionary roots of the African pygmy hedgehog, how hedgehogs have adapted over millions of years, and how the pet hedgehog we know today came to be. You’ll also learn about the natural heritage that still shapes their needs and behaviors in captivity.

Evolutionary background

Hedgehogs belong to one of the oldest groups of placental mammals, with fossil records dating back over 15 million years. The Atelerix genus is believed to have emerged in Africa during the Miocene period, adapting to warmer and more open environments than their European or Asian relatives.

The African pygmy hedgehog likely evolved as a generalist species, occupying a wide ecological niche. its ability to tolerate dry climates, variable temperatures and human-modified landscapes may have contributed to its evolutionary succes.

Domestication of Africa pygmy hedghogs began in the late 20th century, with initial breeding efforts in the 1980’s en growing popularity in the early 2000s in North America, Europe and later Asia. Unlike livestock or working animals, their domestication has focused primarily on appearance, temperament and adaptability to captive life.

Taxonomy

The African Pymgy hedgehog is scientifically classified as follows:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Eulipotyphla
• Family: Erinaceidae
• Genus: Atelerix
• Species: Atelerix albiventris

This species is one of four in the Atelerix genus, alongside A. frontalis (South African hedgehog), A. algirus (North African hedgehog) and A. sclateri (Somali hedgehog). All four are native to the African continent but occupy different ecological niches.

Although domesticated African Pygmy hedgehogs how a wide range of color variations and mutations due to selective breeding, they remain genetically and taxonomically identical to their wild ancestors. Past efforts to hybridize them with other species, particularly Somali hedgehogs, procuded weak or infertile offspring and these lines were not continued. Today’s captive population descend purely from A. albiventris and retain their species integrity. 

Natural origins & habitat

In the wild, the African pygmy hedgehog is found throughout central and eastern sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in:

• West Africa: Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria.
• Central Afrika: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• East Africa: Uganda, South Sudan.
• Southern Africa: Northern Zambia, Angola.

Their preferred environments are savannas, open woodlands, bushland and rural grasslands, especially near water sources or agricultural edges. Key features of their habitat include:

• Sparse vegetation: Scattered shrubs, dry grasses and occasional trees.
• Dry or semi-arid soil: Loose soil types suitable for shallow burrows or resting under leaf litter.
• Temperature range: Daytime temperatures between 25-35 °C (77-95 °F) are typical, with seasonal drops at night.
• Human interface: They often adapt to life on the edges of farms or villages, especially where food sources like insects and grubs are abundant.

During the dry season, they may reduce activity and retreat to shaded burrows or nests. Though not true hibernators or aestivators in the wild, they will adjust their behavior based on climate and food availability.

In captivity, mimicking elements of this natural habitat, such as temperature gradients, dry bedding and places to hide, is essential for both physical and phychological well-being.

Sources

Hutterer, R. (2005). Order Erinaceomorpha. In D.E. Wilson & D.M. Reeder (Eds.), Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed., pp. 212–219). Johns Hopkins University Press.

Reeve, N. (1994). Hedgehogs. T & AD Poyser Ltd.

Wilson, D.E., & Mittermeier, R.A. (2009). Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 1: Carnivores. Lynx Edicions.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (2024). Atelerix albiventris. Retrieved from https://www.iucnredlist.org

Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology). (2023). Atelerix albiventris: Classification and natural history. Retrieved from https://animaldiversity.org