ArcaMax

The substrate in a hedgehog's cage can be shredded newspaper, manufactured newspaper cat litter, or polar fleece (from a fabric store) because it can be washed and re-used.

The bulk of the diet should be food manufactured for hedgehogs, supplemented with live and/or freeze-dried insects and cut up chicken or turkey. These pets can live 10 years.

If your hedgehog foams from the mouth, it just means he or she is happy to see you.

These pets are great pet for older kids who can be taught to handle them appropriately (always over a table or while sitting down so they can't be dropped). Small children might get scared if the quills (which are really modified hair) stand up. Hedgehogs do not throw their quills.

NORTHERN BLUE-TONGUE SKINK

"I love my skinks," coos Melanie Vande Griend, of Marshfield, MO. "They're personable and interactive, at least for a lizard. I mean, you don't expect them to fetch a newspaper, but they recognize me and enjoy being handled."

Melanie's husband, veterinarian Scott, was turned on to the 2- to 2-1/2-foot lizards several years ago by a newspaper column touting them as an alternative to the wildly popular but exceedingly difficult-to-maintain green iguanas.

"Cute as little pet store lizards, iguanas grow to be 5 to 6 feet, and love to climb, so they actually need a room of their own," he says. "And many develop an attitude, making them downright dangerous." Iguanas also have very specific requirements for temperature, humidity lighting and diet.

A single blue-tongue (they're solitary) does fine in a 30- to 55-gallon tank. Unlike iguanas, they don't require baths. A good size water bowl offers humidity, and they can get wet if they desire. An ordinary light bulb, heat lamp and under glass heating pad are sufficient to keep the pets comfortable.

For chow, these skinks they enjoy moist dog food combined with mixed vegetables. It's important to further vary the diet, offering small tidbits from your meals: fruit, chicken, even Gefilte Fish. As adults, they dine 3 to 5 days a week.

They're named for their bright blue tongues (they look like they've just had a blueberry Slurpee), which they wave like a flag when threatened.

Blue-tongues can live 20 years or more, and generally cost $100 to $300.

Specialty pet stores that carry exotics and reputable breeders (check online) are your best choices for all of these pets. Some pet superstores carry them, too.

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Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.

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