Hedgehog finds a happy home with Hillsboro student

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 21 February 2012 15:04

Chandler, the hedgehog, curls up comfortably in the secure hands of his caretaker, Corissa Bartel. While some animal lovers like soft and furry pets, one Hillsboro woman enjoys Chandler, her small, prickly little hedgehog.

Corissa Bartel, 21, a graduate of Hillsboro High School and a senior at Tabor College, said her love of animals started at a young age.

“On family vacations, I was always the kid asking if we could go to the zoo,” she said.

By the time Bartel was in college, she was “looking for her calling,” considering work at a hospital or becoming a physician assistant.

Then she said she decided to follow her dream of working with animals and becoming a zookeeper.

During the summers of 2009 and 2010, Bartel worked at Missouri Cub Creek Science Camp in Rolla, Mo., which is also where she met Chandler, an African pygmy hedgehog, about 7 inches long and tipping the scales at almost 20 ounces.

“He is actually quite a chunky hedgehog,” she said.

Bartel said she has owned Chandler since his birth in June 2009.

“Chandler’s parents were (at the camp) and it was only those two hedgehogs, until one day when there were babies.”

Bartel said she wanted to keep one of the babies, and because the camp allows summer staff that option, she learned more about hedgehogs before taking him to her family’s home in Hillsboro.

“It is super easy to take care of him,” she said. “Chandler gets a bath using normal pet shampoo and he eats cat food, mealworms, crickets and other bugs.”

Some owners feed their hedgehogs cooked eggs or fruit, but she said her pet doesn’t like those things.

African pygmy hedgehogs are not rodents, Bartel said.

“They are insectivores and closely related to anteaters and skunks,” she said. “Chandler is a nocturnal animal, sleeping all day and active from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m.”

A family affair

Bartel’s parents, Daryl and Darlene, have both become attached to her hedgehog.

Darlene Bartel teaches seventh- and eighth-grade science and social studies at Hillsboro Middle School. Whenever Chandler makes an appearance in class, it’s fun for the students, Corissa said.

“My dad loves Chandler, too,” she said, noting how he cuddles with the little spiny mammal.

“One day I was gone for awhile and mom and dad were taking care of Chandler,” she said, “My dad made him a box with a hole in it (for burrowing) and (Chandler) loved pushing it around.”

Another time, Chandler liked one of her dad’s work boots so much that they couldn’t get him out of it.

Snuggling, nuzzling, pushing, tipping things over and chewing are all part of Chandler mimicking his natural foraging behavior, Bartel said. Her hedgehog also enjoys being petted, but his little quills feel a lot like stroking a hairbrush.

At 21⁄2 years old, Chandler doesn’t frighten easily, which makes it hard for Bartel to get him to roll into a ball, drawing his face and feet into his belly to demonstrate how he protects himself.

Hedgehogs have sharp claws, she said, but she trims them on a regular basis as part of his hygiene regiment.

The average life span for an African pygmy hedgehog is 5 to 6 years, she said, but some can live up to 8 years.

What’s next?

Bartel said that prior to graduation she will be applying for internships at some of the larger zoos in the Midwest.

Being an intern at most zoos, she said, means no salary for the first three months.

“Everyone has to start somewhere,” she said, “but I would like to get into animal acquisition, designing exhibits or just do training.”

She said she plans to apply at zoos in Omaha, Neb., Denver and at the San Diego Zoo and Bird Conservation.

“I like working with birds, too,” Bartel said.

Another option, she said, would be staying closer to home, applying at zoos in Salina, Wichita or Kansas City.