Hedgehog vs. Porcupine: Similarly Spiky Animals With Big Differences

This hedgehog is not the same animal as a porcupine. Oksana Schmidt / Getty Images

When it comes to spiky animals, hedgehog vs. porcupine species seem easy to confuse on paper. At first glance, they seem similar, both covered in sharp quills that help them defend against predators.

But while they may look alike, these animals belong to entirely different groups with unique traits. Let’s break it down.

Contents

What Do Porcupines and Hedgehogs Look Like?
How Dangerous Are Porcupine Quills vs. Hedgehog Spines?
Where Do Hedgehogs and Porcupines Live?
Are Hedgehogs and Porcupines Related?

What Do Porcupines and Hedgehogs Look Like?

porcupines and lionesses — These porcupines aren't too worried around this lionesses thanks to their spiky defense. Tim Jackson / Getty Images

Porcupines are generally larger than hedgehogs, with some new world porcupines growing up to 3 feet (0.9 meters) long. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, are much smaller, ranging from about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters). They can often be held in the palm of a hand.

Their spines may look similar, but porcupine quills are much longer and have barbed tips, making them more dangerous to predators. Hedgehog spines lack the barbs of porcupine quills, and their spines lay flat when they're relaxed.

Another key difference lies in their tails. While porcupines — especially Old World porcupines — have strong tails that help them balance in trees or even deliver defensive strikes, hedgehogs have much shorter, less functional tails.

And lastly, their body shapes differ. Porcupines appear more rounded and robust, whereas hedgehogs have a compact oval shape.

How Dangerous Are Porcupine Quills vs. Hedgehog Spines?

Let's dig deeper into the differences between hedgehog and porcupine quills. Hedgehog quills, also called hedgehog spines, do not detach and are mostly used as a passive defense. When threatened, a hedgehog curls into a tight ball, making it difficult for predators to get past its spiky armor.

Porcupines, however, take defense to a more aggressive level. Their sharp, barbed quills can detach and stick into attackers, making them far more dangerous. These quills are specially designed to lodge into skin and are difficult to remove.

Where Do Hedgehogs and Porcupines Live?

Hedgehogs are found in Europe, Africa and Asia, preferring dense vegetation where they can burrow and hide. They are nocturnal, spending their nights foraging for insects and small prey. Unlike porcupines, they are solitary animals that don’t rely on climbing skills to escape danger.

Porcupines, however, are highly adaptable and live in forests, deserts, and grasslands. New World porcupines, found in South America and North America, are excellent climbers, using their strong tails and sharp claws to navigate trees.

Old world porcupines, found in Africa and Asia, tend to be ground-dwelling and rely on burrows for shelter.

Are Hedgehogs and Porcupines Related?

Despite their similar appearance, porcupines and hedgehogs are not closely related. Porcupines belong to the rodent family, making them distant relatives of beavers and capybaras.

Hedgehogs, on the other hand, are more closely related to shrews and even the short beaked echidna— a spiky, egg-laying mammal found in Australia.

So, while both species use sharp quills for protection, they come from entirely different evolutionary backgrounds.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.