D Friday, October 9, 2009 METRO 2 million riches beyond your wildest dreams www.lottery.ie This weeks EuroMillions jackpot is an estimated... Sales close 7.30 pm See the draw TG4 Friday 9.25 pm A spike in the market Ickle prickles: These mini hogs may be tiny but theyve become a huge hit By Joel Taylor THEY are small enough to fit into the palm of your hand but the demand for pygmy hedgehogs is big, big, big. The tiny creatures, which weight between 340g (12oz) and 510g (18oz) are fetching up to 200 each after a surge in popularity. But one animal lover has been left with a prickly problem after taking 24 baby African pygmies into her home. Ashleigh Hunt was given her first three hogs 18 months ago by a friend but has since been given another seven and overseen the birth of a further 14 at her home in Flore, North- amptonshire, England. I look after mine really well but they do have a habit of escaping and running round the house they are very fast and appear in the strangest places, said the 20-year-old. I have found them in cupboards, snuggled up in my bed, and they even line up and watch the television with me at night. An RSPCA spokeswoman said: They are becoming more and more popular and, although there are not many shops selling them, we know there is a great demand for them across the country. little treasures: The tiny pygmy hedgehogs make ideal pets but are easy to lose and can turn up in the most unusual places, according to owner ashleigh Hunt Pictures: Masons index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html