There's a hedgehog in my BATH! The animals are under threat - but not this pampered pet who loves nothing more than a swim <br />
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After a week of prickly news for hedgehogs, at least this adorable little chap looks bristling with joy.<br />
But then Hokey is an African Pygmy hedgehog living the high life in an apartment rather than taking his chances in the wild like Britain’s declining one million hedgehogs.<br />
Shockingly, earlier this week a hedgehog was found in student accommodation at Sheffield University, with his spikes cruelly cut off.<br />
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Frankie, as he has been named, is being nursed back to health at an animal sanctuary.<br />
How different things are for Hokey. Col Skinner, 29, a digital marketing consultant, and partner Beki Smith, 24, a social media executive, bought him for £200 from a specialist breeder at eight weeks old.<br />
Now aged nine months, he has settled in to their second- storey flat in Manchester and enjoys the run of the place when the couple get home.<br />
Mr Skinner said: ‘We chose him after finding out they make great pets. He loves swimming in the bath then getting wrapped in a flannel. They’re natural swimmers.’<br />
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However, an RSPCA spokesman sounded a note of caution: ‘African Pygmy hedgehogs have more specialist requirements than more traditional domesticated pets, so it’s difficult to meet their needs in a household environment.<br />
‘We would encourage people to consider adopting a more traditional animal (like a cat or dog) from a rehoming centre.’<br />
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Photo shows: Hokey' the nine month old African Pygmy Hedgehog who lives an urban lifestyle in a flat in the centre of Manchester with owners Col Skinner, 28, and Beki Smith, 24. Hokey after his bath.<br />
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