The heart of a hedgehog beats approximately 190 times per minute. A healthy hedgehog can have a resting heartbeat between 180 and 280 beats per minute.
A hedgehog's heartbeat slows down to 140 to 150 beats per minute while the animal is sleeping. The most dramatic changes in a hedgehog's heart rate occur during hibernation. During hibernation, most hedgehogs' heart rates decrease to 20 beats per minute. However, heart rates between two and 50 beats per minute are considered normal during a hedgehog's hibernation. The lowered heart rate helps the hedgehog conserve its energy during winter when food is scarce.
