Pet HedgehogIt's what your hedgie is snuffling out for!

In a widely reported item this morning in the UK, the African Pygmy Hedgehog has suddenly started turning up in the handbags of the rich and famous.

Apparently the craze has just followed on from the idea that you can stuff a dog in a handbag, since pet hedgehogs are smaller and lighter to carry. Being a handbag accessory is just the latest indignity the poor pygmy hedgehog has had to suffer.

The Telegraph in particular has quoted a whole load of self-serving individuals without providing any comment on their accuracy. A seller of hedgehogs in the UK is quoted as saying that they love to be handled, when in fact, most pygmy hedgehogs are relatively shy but will tolerate handling from their owners.

Please make sure you know the truth about these pets (or indeed any others) before treating them in ways that will distress them.

You can read the whole Telegraph article here.