HONOLULU — The Honolulu Zoo recently welcomed a female African pygmy hedgehog to its ohana through the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture’s amnesty program. Her name is Petunia, according to a news release.

What You Need To Know

  • Hedgehogs are routinely bred and sold as pets in the U.S. mainland but are illegal to own as pets in Hawaii since they pose a threat to native species if they escape or are released into the wild

  • They have a high resistance to naturally occurring toxins that allow them to ingest animals such as snakes, scorpions and toads

  • Connect with Honolulu Zoo on social media via Facebook and Instagram

On the heels of the birth of an endangered African penguin named Biscuit to new parents Barbara and Max, Petunia’s arrival comes as a precautionary tale to residents who may consider bringing home and raising wildlife as pets. Hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets in Hawaii since they can threaten native species if they escape or are released into the wild.

African pygmy hedgehogs, also known as four-toed hedgehogs, come from the wilds of Africa. About the size of a guinea pig, pygmy hedgehogs weigh between one and two pounds and are popular in the U.S. mainland, where they are routinely bred and sold as pets.

Approximately 6,000 short quills cover the hedgehog’s body — they can control the orientation of spines but can’t discharge them at predators. The spines of a calm hedgehog lie flat against its back and sides; a threatened hedgehog will roll into a ball with its spines pointed out for protection.

Hedgehogs are omnivores that eat fruit, insects and vegetables. But unlike many other animals, they have a high resistance to naturally occurring toxins that allow them to ingest animals such as snakes, scorpions and toads. 

“We welcome having a hedgehog in our zoo so keiki will be able to see what it looks like since they are not found in Hawaii,” said Linda Santos, zoo director. “Petunia will be a nice addition to our Keiko Zoo where she will be housed on exhibit.”