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Say hello to Otis, a 2 1/2-year-old an African pygmy hedgehog who enjoys sleeping during the day and logging (noisy) miles on his wheel at night.
He was purchased from a breeder in Connecticut when he was 8 weeks old. Legal in Massachusetts (but not all states), hedgehogs are not native to the U.S., having been introduced as exotic pets here in the 1980s.
While caring for a hedgehog is pretty straightforward, they aren’t considered family pets because their sharp quills can make them difficult to handle. They can, however, be certified as emotional support animals since their presence has been shown to provide their owners with a sense of calm and alleviate feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Otis is cared for by Teagan, Riley, and Caitrin Newman at their Winthrop Street home.
Have you got a pet in your household you would like to spotlight? Just send us their name, a little bit of information about their age and personality and of course, do not forget to send a photo! Just email editor@winchesternews.org with Pet of the Week in the subject line.
