Here is my stock answer for people considering a hedgehog for a pet:

Please go to the forums at hedgehogcentral or chins-n-hedgies to get the best answers. There is also a Yahoo group called 'hedgehog help' that is run by a man who runs a rescue for hedgehogs who usually has 50 in residence at any one time, and has had hundreds since the 1990s in his care.

Temperature control is EXTREMELY important. The room the hedgehog is in should be kept at least 70 degrees year round. Cold hedgehogs attempt to go into a form of hibernation which they will not survive. A hedgehog's belly should not feel cool. If a hedgehog gets cold, IMMEDIATELY start warming it up. The best way to do this is to get it as close to your own skin as possible, or place on a heating blanket on low (but be very careful to prevent possible burns!)

Fresh water at all times. Do not use bottles; hedgehogs are not rodents, their backs do not bend in the right way to use one, and their teeth can break and will not grow back. Use a small bowl (small glass condiment bowls are excellent for both food and water).

For food, a blend of premium cat foods like Innova is best, but avoid high-fat foods. Protein is important (see forums for recommendations).

Mealworms (but not the super-mealworms) make good treats, but hedgehogs that haven't seen them before might take some time before they'll try one.

Hedgehogs have excellent hearing, and loud noises/music can stress them. Hedgehogs make excellent pets for quiet, calm people.

For living arrangements, 3 square feet of open running space minimum is required (this doesn't count space taken up by hide houses or other items in the enclosure).

Ventilation is very important: glass aquariums are bad small animal enclosures. That said, the hedgehog should not be exposed to drafts, as this can cause them to get chilled.

No wood bedding of any type, as it is dangerous for many reasons, from fumes from softer woods to dangers to hedgehog eyes and sensitive male parts. Recycled paper bedding is better, but the dust is bad for respiratory systems. The best bedding alternative are fabric liners, which can be as simple as pieces of fleece cut to size to more elaborate, multi-layered, custom liners made from fleece and flannel to be absorbent. Light colors are best, as blood will be noticed much faster. The bedding should be changed daily. Hedgehogs are clean animals.

A place to hide must be provided. This can be as simple as a large piece of fleece the hedgehog can burrow under/into to a plastic 'castle' hideplace available from petstores.

A WHEEL is very important, as hedgehogs in the wild can run up to 10 miles in one night. The wheel MUST be a solid surface to prevent broken legs. Wheels made from food-grade buckets, a roller-skate wheel, and pvc pipe are easily made.

Some hedgehogs will poop and pee on you, some won't. They are not pets for the squeamish.

Hedgehogs need their nails trimmed regularly. This isn't easy to do with a non-cooperative hedgehog, and one slip can cause quite a bit of pain.

Hedgehogs have been known to get small fibers from bedding or human hairs wrapped around their legs to the point where the legs became gangrenous and needed to be amputated. Hedgehogs should be picked up and inspected thoroughly at least once a day.

Hedgehogs are also very prone to cancer. The inspection should include rubbing gently looking for any lumps or bumps. Many cancers can be treated successfully with surgery.

If it turns out the hedgehog isn't right for you, please contact the International Hedgehog Association (iharescue@hedgehogclub.com), or the Hedgehog Welfare Society for help in finding it a good forever home.