Animals are abound at the Hamilton County 4-H Fair. While livestock temporarily lives on the ground for the duration of the fair, the exotic animals were showcased at the Pocket Pets contest. Pet owners proudly displayed their non-4-H program animals (pets that don’t fall into other projects) including birds, lizards, snakes, Guinea pigs, rats, turtles and even a couple hedgehogs.
Taylor Riley of the Giddy Up Gang has owned her hedgehog for four years. She said she got Carson from a local breeder in South Bend because she wanted a new pet.
“They’re really interesting. . . I love them,” she said. “I’ve always loved exotic pets and animals.”
What Riley has learned about the animal is that it is high maintenance and is not an ideal pet for young children.
“You can’t cuddle them and they aren’t sociable,” she said.
Despite having a very sensitive diet, Riley said hedgehogs are immune to venom. Another interesting fact about the animal is that its quills are made of keratin – the same as human fingernails.
Quills are a danger to any owner of a hedgehog. Riley said she gets pricked by one every day.
“Sadly, you don’t get used to it,” she said. “I’m just not as surprised by the feeling of it.”