[mighty mouse]

Hi, all. I'm new to hedgies, so forgive me if my questions seem basic.

This is the setup I built for my hedgie, Dexter... My question concerns heating. I'd like to use a heatlamp with a ceramic heater, or a red bulb so the light doesn't bug him - I guess my first question is, does it matter which one? Would you prefer a ceramic heater or a red bulb? I've seen both used in pictures on other threads here.

My second questions relates to my setup - it's a narrow cage, and I worry about a heatlamp shining on one part. I don't know where I should place the lamp - I worry that if it were near the wheel, he'd overheat. I worry if it's by his bedding, it might get too warm for him to sleep comfortably. And I worry if it's over his food/water, it might spoil faster, during the day while I'm at work.

Am I worrying too much? Or are they justified worries?

One option I could do is try to make the cage twice as wide, and have the lamp in the middle - then it's not right next to the wheel, food/water, or bed. I'd like to make it wider anyway, but I want to make sure it will fit where I want it to.

Any input would be appreciated!

Here's the cage; it's a little over 1 foot wide, and a little over 3 feet long:

And here's Dexter!

 

[Mallasfamily]

My personal opinion (some may agree or not) is that it is too long for just one lamp. We are doing the grids 2X3 and i still plan on having 2 lamps. It just ensures that you don't have hot and cold spots (make sure you have it on a thermostat) and it will only vary by the slightest degree. As for the type of bulb it does depend on the hedgehog. Some do not like the red bulbs so wont come out. Honestly they have very little value as far as I am aware so seems to be asking for trouble if your little one won't like it you will have to get a ceramic one anyways. My 2 cents.

 

[Nancy]

I heat a 20" x 40" x 20" high plastic bottomed wired topped cage with only one lamp and it works fine. I block off the back wall of the cage with heavy clear plastic. It works well and easily keeps the cage at 76F.

Do not use anything that emits light as many hedgehogs will not be active in any type of light. Ceramic heat emitters produce heat with no light.

 

[mighty mouse]

Okay, thanks you two! Does the entire cage need to be kept at that temp, or mostly just one part of it? Will he move if he gets warm if the lamp is over his bedding area, and move to that area if he gets cold?

 

[magenh]

I by no means have more than basic experience with hedgies (I've had 2), but we have used a red heat lamp bulb with both of them and neither seemed to mind it. They have both been active through out the night with them on, but that's not to say that another hedgie might not be bothered by even the low amount of light emitted by the bulb.

 

[LizardGirl]

I had a infrared light for Inky when he was younger and he refused to come out when it was on. I was curious if it was really the infrared or not, and used a remote control with the infrared LED, and sure enough, when I pressed a button to flash the light at night he would stop whatever he was doing and freeze. I think he's too observant for his own good. :lol:

 

[mighty mouse]

Okay, well, I'll pick up a ceramic heater tomorrow at work (I'm a manager at PetSmart) and I'll probably make his cage bigger either tonight or tomorrow morning. As it is, I've just been keeping him in the office room with the heat turned up. Thanks again, everyone!

 

[dorasdaddy]

Just a little off topic, but was wondering if you have a top for you cage? If not you will soon be looking for a fugitive hedgie :lol: . I would also look into the options for making the cage completely climb proof, any fall even from a short distance can prove fatal for these little guys.

 

[mighty mouse]

I'll be making a top for the cage tonight.