Adorable Hedgehog From MD Finalist In America's Favorite Pet Contest

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Talk about cuteness overload! An African pygmy hedgehog from Maryland is melting hearts as she continues to ham it up for the camera in adorable photos that you just can't help but say "awwww." Maple's recent modeling sessions have even landed her a spot as a finalist in America's Favorite Pet contest.

If she wins, Maple, who weighs just a pound, will be featured in InTouch Magazine and her owner will take home $10,000.

"It is super exciting and funny. She is just a little creature going about her days with no clue that she is in a nationwide contest with people from all over the country voting for her and cheering her on," Laura Easter, a stay-at-home mom in Highland and Maple's owner, told Patch.

The 3-year-old hedgehog's recent modeling sessions include her chowing down on a watermelon, driving a car, camping and even wearing an empty toilet paper roll around her head. For anyone who thinks Maple's impressive photo-taking skills come naturally, Easter says think again.

"Maple does not naturally pose. That would make things too easy," Easter joked. "Most of her pictures and videos involve me using my patience for her to do as I need. Sometimes I can sit for half an hour watching and waiting for her to make the right movement, pose, and angle."

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Maple is no stranger to online contests. This spring she was a top 10 finalist in Cadbury’s bunny contest. However, it was ultimately a nursing home therapy dog from Ohio that that won the honor. Nevertheless, Easter knows her hedgehog, which is the first her family has ever owned, is special.

When Maple isn't getting her beauty rest, she enjoys visiting schools and attending events to prove that despite her spiky quills that make her sometimes look fierce, it’s what’s on the inside that matters and that you should "never judge a book by its cover."

"People love petting her and watching her walk around and just be," Easter said.

"When my son was in the fourth grade we finally got him the hedgehog that he had been wanting for years. He made a PowerPoint presentation about the care of hedgehogs and the financial breakdown, that is how we realized a hedgehog is important to him and he was serious about the care and attention they require," she continued.

While fame obviously means nothing to the little hedgehog, Maple has developed a global following of people who eagerly look forward to her regular social media posts. She currently has almost 11,000 followers on Instagram.

"It [Instagram] was just something for my son, Riley, and I to do together for fun," Easter said. "Next came her website because I could not find a social media platform that posted different links, pictures and information about her."

America's Favorite Pet contest, the world’s largest online pet competition, is the second largest supporter of PAWS.org, which helps rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned animals. The pet nonprofit has been the beneficiary of the contest since 2020.

"We remain a faithful advocate for PAWS and are always looking for ways to grow and support this rescue mission," contest organizers said on the competition's website.

The contest, which started Monday, has several rounds of voting with the grand prize winner to be announced Oct. 27. Voting is free and can be cast daily.

To vote for Maple, click here. To learn more about the adorable hedgehog, visit www.maplehedgie.com.