Course Content
Course introduction
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Welcome to The Hedgehog Program
Navigating through the course
Course introduction
1. Species overview
A chapter about the origin, evolution and taxonomy of the Lesser hedgehog tenrec.
2. Legal and ethical considerations
Learn the legal and moral responsibilities of owning a Lesser hedgehog tenrec. Are they legal where you live, what's their conservation status, ethical sourcing and rehoming processes.
3. Choosing your tenrec
Learn what a healthy tenrec looks like, red flags and warning signs in sellers, where to buy and where not to.
4. Preparing the enclosure
What's the minimum cage size, which temperature and humidity are needed, do they need lighting or UV-B lights, substrates, basic cleaning, wheel, layout and zoning, and if you can house multiple tenrecs together.
5. Daily & weekly care routine
Daily care tasks, weekly and monthly cleaning, feeding routine, handling and bonding, monitoring health and building a care routine.
6. Feeding & Nutrition
Understanding nutritional needs, safe and unsafe foods, choosing the right kibble, meats, insects, natural foods, fruits, vegetables, supplements & gut health, feeding schedule and portion control, nutrition based health issues in tenrecs.
7. Handling & Bonding
Building trust, reading body language in stress vs comfort, daily contact, how to handle safely, overcoming fear and defensive behavior, scent, sounds and presence, handling for healthcare, common mistake in bonding.
8. Health & hygiene
Recognize when your tenrec is unwell, common health issues in tenrecs, health impact of poor breeding, preventative care and vet checks.
9. Veterinary Care
Finding a good exotic vet, what to expect from routine checkups, when to seek immediate help, communicating with your vet, costs & planning for veterinary expenses.
10. Enrichtment & Play
Choosing safe & engaging toys, why climbing matters for tenrecs, exercise essentials, stress reducation thorugh movement, free roaming, creating an enriching schedule.
11. Understanding behavior
Basic behavior terminology, normal vs abnormal behavior, neutral behavior and its importance, common sounds and meanings, reading tenrec body language, nighttime activity patterns, stereotypical behavior, social behavior and interaction, behavior changes over time and between seasons, troubleshooting common behavioral issues.
12. Seasonal care
Hibernation, aestivation, the importance of temperature regulation, when to seek veterinary help.
13. Traveling with a tenrec
Preparing for travel, choosing the right carrier, long distance travel and long distance travel, legal considerations, keeping your tenrec calm during travel and post-travel recovery.
14. Your tenrec journey continues
End of the course, quiz and what to do next.
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What you’ve learned
Keep learning: Resources & next steps
Final words of encouragement
Introduction to the Lesser hedgehog tenrec

Welcome to The Hedgehog Program

Welcome and thank you so much for joining The Hedgehog Program as a student!

it means a lot that you’ve chosen to invest in your knowledge and in the well-being of your new or future tenrec. Whether you’re brand new to Lesser hedgehog tenrecs or just brushing up on the basics, you’ve come to the right place.

At The Hedgehog Program, we believe in combining expert knowledge with compassion, responsibility and a deep respect for these incredible little creatures. With this course, you’re not just learning how to care for a hedgehog. You are becoming part of a growing community of thoughtful, dedicated tenrec owners.

We’re excited to have you here. Let’s get started!

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