Enclosures for hedgehogs and tenrecs

Designing the right enclosure is one of the most important aspects of keeping hedgehogs and tenrecs in captivity. A proper habitat not only ensures physical health but also allows animals to express their natural behaviours such as foraging, burrowing, nesting, and climbing. While both groups share some basic requirements, there are key differences that reflect their evolutionary histories and lifestyles.

Types of Enclosures

Glass or plastic tanks / vivariums

• Popular for African pygmy hedgehogs and smaller tenrec species.
• Offer good visibility and temperature control.
• Must be well-ventilated to avoid condensation and respiratory issues.

Wire cages

• Often used for hedgehogs but must have solid bottoms; wire floors damage feet.
• Provide excellent airflow but require bar spacing small enough to prevent escapes (especially for small tenrecs), but also not too smal to prevent injury.
• Be aware of temperature challenges; hedgehogs and tenrecs both need stable temperatures.
• Can be adapted with shelves and ramps, though hedgehogs are poor climbers and risk falls.

Wooden vivariums

• Suitable for tenrecs that need climbing and humidity control.
• Retain heat better than wire cages.
• Must be sealed with non-toxic coatings to prevent moisture damage.

Zoo / research enclosures

• Larger enclosures designed for group management, observation, or breeding.
• Often a mix of indoor housing with outdoor access (for hedgehogs in Europe, for example, in rehabilitation contexts).
• For tenrecs, large vivaria with climbing structures, burrow boxes, and nest chambers.

Minimum Sizes

Hedgehogs

• Minimum: about 2 × 3 ft (61 × 91 cm) floor space (≈ 0.37 m²).
• Recommended: larger is always better, especially if a wheel, hides, and enrichment are provided.
• Height: 40–50 cm walls to prevent escape; not much vertical climbing needed.

Tenrecs

• Minimum: ~90 × 45 × 45 cm for smaller species (e.g., Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec).
• For active or climbing species, enclosures 120 cm or longer and ≥45 cm high are preferable.
• Large litters require extra space once the young begin exploring.
• Escape-proofing is essential, as tenrecs are agile and flexible.

Essential Requirements

Regardless of enclosure type, several features are non-negotiable for welfare:

• Solid flooring: safe for feet and allows substrate for digging.
• Substrate and nesting: paper bedding, aspen shavings, coconut fibre, or soil; deep enough for natural behaviour. Avoid cedar and dusty materials.
• Hide boxes / nest chambers: every enclosure must include at least one secure, dark hide per animal. Nursing females require extra nesting material.

Temperature control:

• Hedgehogs: 21–27 °C / 70-81 °F (to avoid hibernation attempts).
• Tenrecs: warmer and often more humid (27–30 °C / 81-86 °F for tropical species).

Ventilation: vital to prevent mould and respiratory disease; balance with warmth and humidity.

Feeding & water stations: bowls or bottles fixed securely to avoid tipping.

Enrichment:

• Hedgehogs: running wheels (solid surface, ≥30 cm diameter), tunnels, toys.
• Tenrecs: climbing branches, ropes, platforms, multiple hides, leaf litter for foraging.

Differences Between Hedgehogs and Tenrecs

Space use: Hedgehogs mainly need floor space for walking and running; tenrecs also need climbing and vertical complexity.

Climate: Hedgehogs require warmth but moderate humidity; tenrecs need consistently high warmth and often higher humidity.

Sociality: Most hedgehogs are strictly solitary; enclosures are for one individual. Some tenrec species can be housed communally outside breeding season, but overcrowding must be avoided.

Escape risk: Hedgehogs are strong but not agile climbers; tenrecs are small escape artists and require tighter security.

In Summary

The best enclosure for a hedgehog or tenrec is secure, spacious, and tailored to their natural behaviours. For hedgehogs, this means low but wide spaces with plenty of floor area, a wheel, and nesting opportunities. For tenrecs, it means longer enclosures with climbing structures, hides, and controlled warmth and humidity. In both cases, the guiding principle is simple: meet the species’ needs, not just the minimum size. A larger, enriched enclosure is always a healthier, more humane choice.