The prickly attitude and sharp demeanor of science teacher Jeffrey Underwood’s latest class addition is also responsible for the hissing and purring noises emanating from the classroom. Since arriving earlier this month, in fact, Delilah the hedgehog has really been the talk of RM 703.

Delilah was originally owned by senior Olyvia Schaefer, who found that she was unable to care for her due to a busy schedule and time constraints.

“I had to get rid of her because she is a very social animal that needs a lot of attention and I didn’t have that much time to take her out,” Schafer said.

Underwood acquired Delilah after responding to an email sent out by social studies teacher Jon Coleman for his student, asking the staff if they wanted a new class pet.

Underwood hopes that this adoption will lead to more class pets. He looks up to science teacher C.J. Addington’s room full of unique animals as inspiration.

“We are Biology, so we need animals in our classrooms,” Underwood said.
Many students enjoy having her in the classroom for the new experience alone. Senior Kevria Shill, a student in Underwood’s class, witnessed the student and staff interest Delilah attracted.

“More people are wanting to go near her and know what she is about,” Shill said.

Underwood has made the class quieter to help lessen the stress of the transition period. According to Underwood, Delilah’s comfort is a priority.

“We are definitely trying to keep a comfortable environment for her,” Underwood said. “She’s new, she’s small, and she is scared.”

Underwood has had many pets in his lifetime, but this is his first class pet. He is excited to learn how different the two of those can be.

“My family has always been animal-lovers,” Underwood said. “I had a collection of scorpions in college that I took care of, and we had horses and things like that when I was a kid.”

According to Underwood, since hedgehogs are relatively unfamiliar animals to bring home as pets and it’s illegal to own one in California without a license (as they aren’t native to the state), they are frequently misunderstood.

Many students believe that Delilah is like a porcupine, so her sharp quills leave her unable to be touched or held.

“She has some stigma around her because they think she is spiky like a porcupine, but she’s not,” Underwood said. “They are insectivores.”

Underwood hopes students will maintain their etiquette while observing her, especially as she is often asleep during the day.

“Well, she is definitely a cute animal that definitely brings something to the class,” Shill said.

She has become a symbol of room 703 and Underwood hopes that more people come see Delilah.

“She is overly cute,” Underwood said. “The cute meter is definitely on tilt.”