That picture is adorable. I've always wanted a hedgehog. And I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping one as a pet if you give it a good and fulfilling life. I also don't like it when people try to make you feel guilty for keeping a pet that would otherwise be a wild animal. I don't condone keeping ocelots, or snakes, or monkeys (other than of course assistance monkeys), but hedgehogs? And how far does this go? What about cats? Have you ever seen how fulfilled a cat is outside, when it's feral and free? Does that mean we shouldn't keep cats as housepets? What about guinea pigs? Should we just let them out in the woods in the backyard? I know my guinea pigs wouldn't survive the night. Are they not happier alive and fed than being gobbled up by an owl? Is not a parakeet, perhaps, happier in a loving home than in a pet store? Or should we just let them fly free from our balconies to get eaten by raptors and crows? Anyway, I would name my hedgehog Icarus.
mammamaia: Hedgehogs are actually on the endangered list from habitat destruction, lack of food, predators, etc. So wouldn't it be better to give one a good home? it's pretty much impossible to "let it go and have a normal life." I don't think that it's at all wrong to keep animals as pets, as long as it's not something ridiculous like a monkey, lion (actually know people who have them) or snake, or the animal is afraid of you and would be much better off in the wild. I also think it's wrong to criticize people who have pets like birds, hamsters...pets who have become like companions to their owners. There's absolutely nothing wrong (imo) with keeping a pet unless it's against their will, or they would be better off somewhere else. And yes, I wouldn't take one out of the wild myself...if it was raised by a good breeder, that's the only way i would buy it. but I can't get a hedgehog anyways because my dog would either eat it or have a nervous breakdown. =\ Hahah, I name my stuff too. laptop: Louisa May [Alcott] pencils: Isaiah, Leo, Ellis, Phoebe, Sunny, Josie, Lulu...I loose a lot of pencils. socks: Alfred and Albert - for each pair, doesn't matter rocks: Reena, Roger, Rowland, Rollo, Rufus. I have a bunch of rocks for some reason.
In Hebrew a hedgehog is named a kipod and I always thought kipi is a good name for a hedgehog. To be a little more creative: pin cushion (pincush for short) or katamary. If I had a hedgehog all I'd do with it is show it to cats, i love the way cats look when they see a hedgehog. It's like snobbish animal kryptonite.
hedgehogs are so cute. but one here would not last long. 2 cats would love it for a new toy. A few years ago a cartoon character was a hedgehog called Sonic. Dom got a rabbit and called it bun bun after a character. But changed it to kiki since christine being chinese has a hard time with M's and N's and the name came out bum bum. Kiki is the name of another character in the same story as bun bun. We had a hamster called reepicheep.
If I had to name a hedgehog, it'd probably a Mr. name, like Mr. Nelson, or maybe just Moe. I too name inanimate objects. Laptop: Bruce Cell: Brucer iPod: iBruce (Wow) Guitar: Roxas PS3: Nox Car: Grandma (or Hunk of Junk, depends how it's running that day) My current roommate doesn't name anything, not even her teddy bear, so she gave me a really funny look the first time I was talking about my computer. "Who the heck is Bruce?" Good times.
no... would you think it's better for you or your child to be a captive 'pet' in a 'good home' you're forced to live in, than to be left free, no matter what kind of life problems may beset you in your freedom?.. ...no, it's not... and you wouldn't say that if you were the poor critter... ...then you wouldn't think it was wrong if a much larger/smarter creature from another planet came here and wanted to keep you and your children as pets, right?... ...it's not 'wrong' in a free society where we have the freedom to express our opinions... if it's wrong for me to criticize pet owners, then it would be wrong for you to criticize me for doing so... you can't have it both ways... so, does everyone ask permission of their pets to be able to keep them from living free as they were meant to be and as all of their instincts make them want/have to be?... if they don't, and/or the animals can't tell them what they want, then their owners are keeping them against their will, aren't they?... ...your idea of 'better off' and the animals' won't be the same, though, will it?... read my piece 'top dogs and bottom feeders' to see what it would be like if the tables were turned... http://saysmom.com/maia/content.asp?Writing=132
Mammamaia: First of all, I'm probably much younger than you (14), and I obviously might have immature views to you...I seriously didn't mean to start a debate. But animals are just not humans. I don't think it works to "put myself in their place." The animal kingdom is a completely separate world from the human world. Animals, while they have feelings, don't have the same feelings as humans. They don't go through emotions the same way we do. If they did, they just wouldn't be the same. I love animals, for what they are. I don't try to accept them as humans. I wish I knew what they felt, what they're going through, but I don't. In some ways they're much simpler, but in some ways more complex, more adaptable, intelligent, and lovable. I hope you understand that I'm not an ignorant, selfish, unaware animal abuser...I do care about them, but in different ways. I'm against putting animals in cages for the most part, unless it's a huge cage and necessary so that it doesn't get lost, run over or otherwise harmed. I hate most zoos, making animals pose for pictures, and making act in shows/circuses/etc. I'd also like you to know that it's almost impossible for me to have a hedgehog right now, or ever, so I wouldn't worry about it. But I've found that most - all breeders are incredibly informed, caring, and give their pets as much space and care as possible. I understand you have strong feelings, but I hope you can accept mine. (Since I'm not going to change your mind)
I don't think this equates. Personally, I would love for an extraterrestrial to keep me captive. I said earlier in the thread that I don't think it's fair to judge people for keeping caged pets. I myself have two guinea pigs. And I happen not to be a monster. I love animals. I'm not an activist, but I love them very much and have a deep respect for animal life. I'm not judging you for your opinion, but please don't be offensive by blatanly telling people who keep caged pets - or people asking advice about what to name a hedgehog if they were to get one - that they're cruel and heartless.
If I had a hedgehog, I'd call him butternut. Don't know why, it just popped straight into my head when I saw the title of this thread.
Original! Anyway, I'd name mine something like Flathead, probably. (Both a Premonition and an Insult.)
Awww. Oh, and Rollo is a great name, whoever said that. Sonic...just reminds me of the fast food place, lol.
I would name a hedgehog Sir Isaac Alexander Nealan Ray Whitaker Matthew Sasha William Bob Samuel Damion Keiran Cian Pitt the IV, Earl of The Cage On The Counter Near the Phone. And that is for short. I name a lot of my stuff. Clarinet: Keiran Laptop: Ron Printer: Harry Potter (it's HP okay, it just had to be done) Piano: Leah Keyboard for the Laptop (which is never used): William Ipod: You useless piece of junk!
