A hedgehog with no name

Folks may have heard about the bison exhibit temporarily in town at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, and they might know that June Scobee Rodgers, widow of space shuttle Challenger commander Dick Scobee, will be at the museum Monday signing her new book.

But what about the museum's newest addition, a pet hedgehog?

The little guy -- the heaviest of hedgehogs is only about two-and-a-half pounds -- is joining a collection of other unique animals at the museum, including six non-venomous snakes, six box turtles, a couple of snapping turtles, a tarantula, scorpions, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, a green anole, and two Chinese water dragon lizards.

Maria Lazo, assistant director and education coordinator at the museum, said the animals are used for lessons illustrating how different species defend themselves and the various habitats in which creatures live.

She said they've been on the look out for a hedgehog since Spiny Norman, their former hedgehog, died.

Spiny was a hit with the kids, she said.

And it seems Lazo took quite a liking to the creature, too. When asked when Spiny passed, Lazo can answer without hesitation: May 16, 2010.

"It was a very sad day," she said. "He had been showing signs of being sick, so we knew it was coming."

Thursday marked one week since the new hedgehog arrived at the museum from the Brazos Valley Animal Shelter, and Lazo said he's adjusted quite nicely.

Lazo said he had been someone's pet before his temporary stay at the animal shelter.

"He was obviously very well loved," she said. That was evident in that he didn't mind being handled, she added.

He doesn't have a name yet, and museum officials are asking for the public's help in choosing one. They've narrowed it down to five options -- Nigel, Spike, Harrison, Sheldon and Sir Lancelot -- and will choose the name that receives the most votes.

Anyone who wants a say can visit the museum by March 17 to vote for one of the five choices.

Hedgehogs are not native to North America but can be found in gardens across Europe, where people sometimes keep them because they eat pesty insects.

Their backs are covered in quills that spike up when they're threatened, which is their defense against predators. When they're comfortable, the quills lay flat on their back and aren't painful to the touch.

Brazos County and College Station officials said they don't have any ordinances outlawing hedgehogs as pets, but Bryan residents need special permits from animal control before welcoming them into their homes.