Feb. 2 also is Hedgehog Day, and Cedar Rapids woman owns one

CEDAR RAPIDS — Today is commonly known as Groundhog Day, but did you know Feb. 2 also belongs to another critter?

Yes, move over Punxsutawney Phil. Today is Hedgehog Day, according to Karsen Miller, 20, of Cedar Rapids.

For Miller, though, every day is Hedgehog Day. In late October, she bought her pet hedgehog, Basil, who has brown and gray fur and can fit in the palm of Miller's hands.

Miller purchased Basil from Susan's Hawkeye Hedgies in Killduff, and the two bonded quickly.

'This one was just crawling all over me, you could tell she was really interested in interacting with people,' Miller said. 'They aren't really the most social animals, so that kind of stuck out to me.'

Miller, a Kirkwood Community College student, said she always has had a passion for animals, particularly small ones. She also has a pit bull named Winston, a rat terrier named Daisy and a domestic short-haired cat named Socksy.

Hedgehogs have unique behavior patterns, Miller noted.

'They are prey animals by nature, so it comes with a lot of defensive behavior,' she said. 'The spikes on their back, they'll move them up if they're nervous. They'll huff at you; they'll hiss and puff and pop at you if they're mad. It's just natural behavior though, so you have to get past that.

'If you just ignore it, they can be really sociable, snugly and stuff.'

Basil is more relaxed around Miller now. Over time, Miller has gotten used to petting Basil's spikes, too.

'It takes a lot of work, that's for sure,' she said. 'You don't just get them and they love you right away. It takes work, so that's definitely unique about them.'

Miller feeds Basil high-quality cat food and water and cleans her cage every day.

Miller's mother, Ruthann, said Karsen and Basil have really bonded.

'She's just a sweetheart,' Ruthann Miller said.

In the fall, Miller plans to study business at the University of Iowa. When she is not studying or spending time with her animals, she enjoys hiking, fishing, canoeing and playing video games.