Possibly the rarest of all hedgehogs, the Algerian Black Hedgehog is the trickiest to identify and purchase. But Heavenly Hedgies has searched all available resources to let you know exactly how to spot this rare hedgie. After reading this section, you will know exactly what to ask a breeder about color and physical appearance. And then you can confidently determine if what you're looking at is a true Algerian Black Hedgehog. We'll also suggest possible methods to locate a breeder.
The Color Classifications of Hedgehogs
Twenty-six known colors of hedgehogs exist: Thirteen White-Bellied and thirteen Algerian. Genetics is mainly what gives a hedgehog different color pigments, we also do believe that environmental factors come into play a bit. Generally, the history of the hedgehog combines and causes some to appear darker in color. Specifically, darker hedgehogs contain a dominant amount of black eumelanin, which starts as a neurological signal sent to pituitary gland beginning a whole communication process throughout the nervous system. The pituitary gland releases a hormone that communicates with a receptor in the Agouti Gene. By piecing that process and information together, which we'll cover below, with other genetic factors is what determines if they will have higher or lower black pigment in their skin, fur, eyes, and quills.
How To Identify True Algerian Black Hedgehogs
There are many hedgies that might be mistaken for a black, but they could just be dark grey or brown. The gene responsible for a hedgehog's color is the Agouti gene. It doesn't work alone though, the Agouti creates amino acids that speak with the pituitary gland's different amino acids that together are responsible for color pigmentation in mammals. Getting more into the technical stuff after this, with the eye you can spy a true Algerian Black Hedgehog which looks like the picture above if you look for: A jet black mask extending from the eyes to the sides reaching the quills, jet black banded quills, black feet, black spots on the belly, black eyes, black ears, black nose. Just check for the black. Scientifically now, let's get into why they are so dark in pigment.
The Agouti Gene and Pituitary Gland in Hedgehogs
The gene that controls pigment distribution throughout hedgehogs is the Agouti, and the Agouti creates the Agouti Signalling Peptide which are one hundred and thirty-one amino acids that aim to bind themselves to Melanocortin Receptors (MC1R). These receptors are found throughout the nervous system, and while their only function is not to just do this one thing, they bind with Melanocyte Stimulating Hormones. These Melanocyte Stimulating Hormones are from Melanocortins which are created in the Proopiomelanocortin from the Pituitary Gland. So, once the Melanocortin Receptors meet up with the Agouti Signalling Peptides, this causes Melanogenisis which creates our final most important factor in making an Algerian Black Hedgehog black, Melanin.
There are three basic types of Melanin:
- Eumelanin: Responsible for the brown or black pigment
- Pheomelanin: Controls yellow and red pigment
- Neuromelanin: Dark protective pigment found in the brain
How Are Some Domesticated Hedgehogs Black?
Algerian Black Hedgehog colors are a result of their MC1R interpreting hormones released by the pituitary gland, just as we mentioned above. The Melanin caused by that equation is distributed among different areas controlled by the Agouti's instructions it downloaded into its signaling peptide packages. These packages are delivered to the Melanocortin Receptors throughout the nervous system. The dominance or recessiveness of the pigmentation gene is really up to biology whether or not the hedgehog will be black and stay black. Even if two unrelated Algerian blacks mate, their offspring isn't going to be guaranteed true black hoglets.
The only way to know for sure which traits are dominant or recessive is to have the family history of up to six generations. If a hog's family history has this color, then a breeder can purposely breed an Algerian black hedgehog. But, breeding cousins is not okay to achieve this goal which is why before breeding, all precautions must be made against consanguinity. An ill hedgehog is not okay, no matter how beautiful its pigment is.
The Chances of it Being a True Black Depend Mostly Upon:
- Genetic Attributes of Parent Hedgehogs
- Environment of Parent Hedgehogs and their up-line
- Co-Dominance of Different Genes Responsible for Color, Patterns, and Distribution
Algerian Blacks have cream colored and heavily banded quills full of black and rust tones. Their shoulder skin is jet-black. So is their nose, mask around the eyes, limbs, and spots on the belly. Aside from the color identifications, there are physical attributes common between the Algerian and White Bellied class.
We have provided this chart comparing the two categories of hedgehogs and the physical attributes that differ:
| Physical Attribute | Algerian | White-Bellied |
| Forehead Quill Banding | Different Colors and Intertwined Quills | Clean Pattern of Quills with Consistent Color |
| Skin Color | Darker Skin Color | Lighter Skin Color |
| Mask Color | Brown or black mask extending past the eye or “badger stripes” extending up from the mask to the head quill line. | Extremely light masks present on few |
| Belly Markings | Birth Marks Present in all Algerians | Never present except in: Salt and Pepper, Grey, or Dark greys |
| Eye Patches | 3/8 inch in diameter below the eye | Only the Champaign/Cinnicot types |
Where to Find an Algerian Black Hedgehog
Algerian Black Hedgehog Breeders To Contact
- Worldwide Hedgehog Breeder List (USA, Canada, UK)
- Top Notch Hedgehogs (USA)
- Hedgehogville (Canada)
- Little Quills (London, UK)
Conclusion: The Algerian Black Hedgehog Is Obtainable
The Algerian Black Hedgehog is beautiful – and a sought after color. While many breeders practice safe breeding of these types of colors, be careful of breeders who mate related cousins to achieve this pigment. We discuss that in our ethical breeders article where we interviewed Valerie from Hedgehogville Canada who raises them.
The responsible gene and hormones that contribute to a hedgehog's pigment take a lot of dedication and studying to create – it is important to always have the family history available of each hog you are attempting to breed to get this color. That kind of knowledge gives you the ability to identify the desired hedgehog traits and to avoid consanguinity and illness. Genetics determines their color of course, but after that it is up to their hormones to carry on the rest of the work. After all, their quills could change color after their first quilling!
The Agouti gene will be recessive or dominant so it is never a guarantee to get this color. The dark grey or dark brown Algerians look similar to the blacks, so be careful when purchasing. The dilution of genetics caused by popularity-breeding has caused the rarity of its beautiful pigments, but breeders do exist who specialize in this beautiful animal! We have listed some above for your consideration.
For any other questions not mentioned on our website yet, please contact us in the comments below or send us a message. If you have found a breeder above and would like a quick guide with downloadable worksheet so you can meet their equipment needs before adopting, see our up-to-date information here.
