Hedgehogs are cute little round animals that spend much of the day sleeping. They don’t look like an animal that would climb, but surprisingly they can.
Hedgehogs aren’t round from having fat; they have long soft hair on the bottom and spines along the top and sides. The rest is thick, loose skin.
The hedgehog is actually light and slender. They don’t have sharp claws, and they have two feet and two hands. They also have a small, stubby tail that doesn’t help them balance.
However, hedgehogs can climb some surfaces. The problem is that hedgehogs aren’t built to come back down after they climb up.
Continue reading to learn all about whether hedgehogs climb, what they climb, and how to help them get back down.
How High Can Hedgehogs Climb?
Wild hedgehogs can actually climb higher than pets, and they can climb as much as 15 to 20 inches. There are times when they can climb higher, but they often don’t.
If you want your hedgehog to be able to climb higher, you can help them by providing them with a ramp. Hedgehogs enjoy exploring and they often play when they have something that is interesting to them.
Can Hedgehogs Climb Trees?
Hedgehogs can climb trees. They are made of bark, which makes it easy for them to get the grip they need for climbing.
If the tree is angled, it is easier for them to climb than a tree that goes straight up. Even though they can and will climb trees, they don’t climb very high up because they don’t have good eyesight.
A hedgehog might go up a tree to avoid a predator, but they usually prefer to stay on the ground.
Can Hedgehogs Climb Stairs?
Hedgehogs can climb stairs very easily. If you let your hedgehog out of the cage, there is a strong chance that it will climb the stairs.
However, it is harder for them to climb wood stairs because they are more slippery than those that are carpeted. They will still climb them, but they can slip and fall.
It is much easier for hedgehogs to climb up the stairs than it is to climb back down. If the stairs are steep and made of wood, the hedgehog is likely to get stuck at the top of the stairs.
If your stairs are made of carpet, the surface is much easier for hedgehogs to grip and they will have an easier time climbing the stairs. It is also much safer for them.
Can Hedgehogs Climb Ramps?
Hedgehogs can climb ramps, and they enjoy playing on them. It is harder for them to grip the surface if they are steep, but they enjoy climbing on them.
You can make a ramp that is safe for your hedgehog to use, but you need to choose a safe material and make sure that it doesn’t have sharp edges. In addition, make it wide, but don’t make it too steep.
You should secure the ramp with wires or PVC pipes, and it should be sturdy so that it doesn’t move while your hedgehog is climbing on it.
As far as steepness goes, it should be less than 40 degrees, and less than 20 degrees is even better. Your hedgehog will prefer a long ramp that is slightly angled to a short, steep ramp.
Can Hedgehogs Climb Out of Cages?
If your hedgehog’s cage doesn’t have a top that is secure, it can climb out of the cage. Although you can use a wire cage, many people choose an aquarium or a smooth-sided cage to prevent their hedgehogs from escaping.
If you choose an aquarium, you should get one that is at least 30 gallons. You should not have a cage with a wire bottom, as it can cause injury to the hedgehog’s feet.
If you have a cage with a plastic bottom and wire walls, make sure that the space between the wires is one inch or less because the hedgehog can escape through them otherwise.
Try to get the biggest cage that you can afford because hedgehogs are very active, and they enjoy exploring. They are skilled at climbing and digging, and they can swim.
Can Hedgehogs Get Through Small Gaps?
Hedgehogs are athletic little animals, and they explore every chance they get. They do most of their exploring at night when they are looking for food.
They are small and their quills bend, so they can easily get through small gaps in fences, in walls, and in their cages. While hedgehogs can squeeze through a gap, they can’t back through it because their quills will still be flattened the wrong way.
Hedgehogs are known as escape artists, and they can get through any opening that is slightly bigger than their skull. When you choose a cage for your hedgehog, you need to make sure that the wires are close enough together that the hedgehog can’t escape.
If you let your hedgehog run free in the house, you also need to make sure that they can’t get through small gaps and escape outside or into a room that is dangerous.
Can Hedgehogs Swim?
People often wonder if hedgehogs can swim because they can climb into ponds. Although hedgehogs look round and fat, they are actually quite athletic and they can swim.
Their quills are filled with air, which helps them float on top of the water. The problem comes when they want to climb out of the water.
Hedgehogs can climb, but they can’t climb on slippery surfaces. This makes it particularly difficult for them to climb out of ponds, and they often drown because they grow exhausted trying to get out.
If you decide to let your hedgehog swim, you should always watch it because they can have trouble getting out of the water. Some people let them swim because they enjoy exercise, and it stimulates their minds and their bodies.
When hedgehogs are kept as pets, they can get bored and sleep all the time. The best thing you can do is find ways to stimulate them, but make sure that they are safe.
You can let your hedgehog swim as long as you are watching it.
What Kinds of Surfaces Do Hedgehogs Not Climb?
Hedgehogs climb things because they are curious and they want to get over something to the other side. They don’t need to climb to find food, and they aren’t fast enough to climb to get away from predators.
There are some surfaces that they can’t climb. This includes slippery surfaces and surfaces that are vertical.
Hedgehogs might climb into an area with water to get a drink or to explore, but if there is only a slippery surface to get out, they won’t be able to make it. They can swim across a river with a bank on the other side, but they can’t climb up a straight wall.
Where Do Hedgehogs Live in the Wild?
Hedgehogs live in Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand in the wild. They live in many different habitats, including people’s gardens, deserts, forests, and savannas.
They live in burrows that they build themselves, and they can be as many as 20 inches deep. They make nests out of branches, leaves, and other vegetation.
Sometimes hedgehogs will move into burrows that other animals made, and they might nestle in between large rocks. They spend a lot of time in their burrows and nests.
Hedgehogs sleep during the day, and they might sleep up to 18 hours each day. They are nocturnal, and they will come out and explore during the night.
They don’t have good eyesight, but they can use their hearing and smell to find food in the dark. Their ability to sleep helps them when the climate is cold or hot because they can hibernate.
What Do Hedgehogs Eat?
You may wonder if hedgehogs climb trees or other obstacles so that they can eat, but they don’t. They are called hedgehogs because they root underneath hedges and snort similar to a hog.
They eat a lot of different foods, including fruit, fungi, frogs, birds, eggs, mice, insects, snails, worms, reptiles, roots, and more. They can eat as much as a third of their body weight in one night.
What Can You Get for Your Pet Hedgehog to Climb on and Play with?
Although hedgehogs sleep throughout the day, they can be quite active at night. They are nocturnal, and if you don’t provide them with items that stimulate them, they will find a way to entertain themselves.
Unfortunately, this might include trying to escape. Your hedgehog will grow very bored sitting in the cage with nothing to do night after night.
One item you can get your hedgehog is an exercise wheel. This allows the hedgehog to climb the wheel as it spins around, and it is safe for them to play on.
You should make sure that the wheel is made with solid material rather than wire so that your hedgehog doesn’t get hurt.
Another thing you can do is make a maze for your hedgehog. You can make it out of PVC pipe, and create one that is big enough that the hedgehog doesn’t get stuck in it.
You can hide treats throughout the maze, and this will entertain your pet for hours.
Another way to entertain your hedgehog is with small boxes. You need to make sure that the box is completely safe, but the hedgehog will enjoy climbing into it and out of it.
Another fun toy for hedgehogs is tube tunnels. You can buy them from a pet store or make them out of paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls.
Your hedgehog will have a great time exploring and running through these tunnels.
What Happens If a Hedgehog Falls?
In the wild, hedgehogs do climb trees, fences, rocks, and more, and they often fall. Sometimes they fall by mistake, but other times they do it on purpose because it is the easy way down.
When a hedgehog falls to the ground, it will roll into a ball and surround itself with its quills. These are spines that offer some protection to them.
They can fall a significant distance without getting hurt, but this doesn’t mean that they never get hurt. In the wild, they have a ground with cushioning and places where a hedgehog can fall safely.
In homes where hedgehogs live as pets, they might be injured in a fall. Surfaces may be hard and unforgiving in a home, and the hedgehog may fall a further distance.
If your hedgehog climbs up on shelves, it can fall a significant way to the bottom. The same is true if it falls from landings or other places.
If you allow your hedgehog to be loose in your home, you need to make sure that it can’t fall or climb anything dangerous while it is exploring. Choose a room without many doors, and make sure that the hedgehog can’t squeeze under or around it.
You should also make sure that there aren’t any cracks, gaps, or crevices where the hedgehog can hide from you.
How to Make a Room Safe for Hedgehogs
Once you choose the right kind of room for your hedgehog, you need to assess it for any potential dangers. Make sure that the entire room is clean and that everything in it is put away.
This includes plants, drinks, chemicals, pesticides, and more, as they can be dangerous for your hedgehog. You also need to make sure that any wires or computers, telephones, and other electronics are secured in flexible tubing.
The flooring should be clean, free of any dirt, and easy to clean. You should also make sure that the hedgehog has playtime at least once a day.
Final Thoughts
People often want to know if hedgehogs can climb, and the answer is that they can. They are actually quite good at climbing; the problem is getting down the other side.
Hedgehogs aren’t very good at getting down once they climb up a surface, and this is the hardest part about having them.
You need to keep a close eye when the hedgehog is out so that it doesn’t become injured.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. I have a wife and two children and love taking them to the zoo to see all the animals. I grew up with dogs and fish and now have two dogs and two cats. I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.