As was noted back in [3.1], the hedgehogs kept as pets throughout much of the
world are a hybrid of Algerian and White-Bellied hedgehogs.  Most of the
colours, and variations that we see can be traced to these two species, and
many are the result of the interbreeding of the various original species.

Of course, Long-eared hedgehogs are also kept as pets in various places, but
I regret that I don't have enough knowledge to offer any useful comments on
them.  The same applies to those other species which are occasionally kept as
pets.  As a result, most of this section will focus on the
Algerian/White-Bellied hybrid type.

At last check there were roughly 100 colour variations known, and others
which were hypothisized.  So far, this is all without mutations being a
factor.  Here are some examples of hedgehog colours.

White-Bellied Hedgehog Colours

    Dominant Colours:

       	Salt & Pepper
       	Dark Grey
       	Grey
       	Chocolate
       	Brown
       	Cinnamon
       	Dark Cinnicot  
       	Black-Eyed Cinnicot                            
       	Ruby-Eyed Cinnicot
       	Champagne
       	Apricot

    Snowflake Colours:

       	Silver - the recessive of Salt & Pepper
       	Silver Charcoal - the recessive of Dark Grey or Double rec. of Grey
       	Charcoal - the recessive of Grey
       	Chocolate Chip - the recessive of Chocolate
       	Brown Snowflake - the recessive of Brown or double rec. Choc. Chip
       	(Cinnamon) Snowflake - the recessive of Cinnamon
       	Silver-Cinnamon Snowflake - the double recessive of Cinnamon
       	Dark Cinnacot Snowflake - the recessive of Dark Cinnacot or the
       	                          double recessive of Black-Eyed Cinnacot
       	Black-Eyed Cinnacot Snowflake - the recessive of Black-Eyed Cinnacot
       	Ruby-Eyed Cinnacot Snowflake - the recessive of Ruby-Eyed Cinnacot
       	Champagne Snowflake - the recessive of Champagne or double recessive
       	                      of Ruby-Eyed Cinnacot
       	Apricot Snowflake - the recessive of Apricot
       	Pale Apricot Snowflake - the double recessive of Apricot


White Colours:

    The White category comprises those animals that possess almost 100%
    solid white spines.

    The few banded spines that these hedgehogs have are localized to the
    forehead area, with a few possible across the remainder of the
    back. These few banded spines on the back, however, should count no
    more than 10. Any more than this and it is categorized as a Snowflake.
                         
    White is a dilute (prime) of the recessive snowflake. Although not all
    are listed here, there is a total of 15 White possibilities in the
    White-Bellied colour spectrum.

       	Platinum - the dilute of Salt & Pepper
       	Silver Charcoal White - the dilute of Dark Grey
       	Charcoal White - the dilute of Grey
       	Chocolate White - the dilute of Chocolate
       	Brown White - the dilute of Brown
       	White - the dilute of Cinnamon
       	Albino - Albinos are unique due to the total lack of pigmentation.

Algerian Colours:

       	Black Algerian
       	Dark Grey Algerian
       	Grey Algerian
       	Chocolate Algerian
       	Brown Algerian
       	Cinnamon Algerian
       	Champagne Algerian


Just a reminder that this is not a comprehensive list of colours, but is
intended more as a guide.  Also, when breeding for colours, it is imperative
that you make sure you do not lose sight of temperament, and basics of good
husbandry in pursuit of a colour goal -- doing so is not gaining anyone, or
any hedgehog anything.


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-- 
Brian MacNamara - macnamara@HedgehogHollow.COM
Hedgehog Hollow:  http://HedgehogHollow.COM/   
Namara - macnamara@HedgehogHollow.COM
Hedgehog Hollow:  http://HedgehogHollow.COM/