i didnt read all 7 pages of this, but as far as the hedgehog goes heres my input:
I got a hedgehog through my friend alex (happens to be Howie Mandel's son) and he got it in vegas and brought it into cali haha, then didnt want it anymore. I had him for about 4 years, was a cool pet, but not very handable. Would hiss and puff up at any noise or movement near him. Smelled like crap. Awesome pet as far as cute goes haha, but they can actually be kinda finicky. You cannot change food on them or they will get shocked and it can kill them. They need protein as well as like a dry hedgehog mix you can get for them, (mine loved mealworms) His name was sonic of course, cause hell what else can you name a freaking hedgehog.
Honestly id say dont get it for a kid. Unless theres a problem against it, go for a rat. Pet rats are intelligent, smart, cute, handable, and they love to be held. Problem is they dont live very long, but other then that I would def reccomend one as a pet for a kid.
