The public loves hedgehogs because of their adorable features, spines, and distinct personalities.
These beautiful mammals are found all over the world, with the exception of the Americas, Australia, and Antarctica, and have 17 species. In fact, when they are brought into new regions, they are regarded as extremely invasive species.
Due to this introduction, which frequently happens as a result of individuals purchasing pets and then losing or releasing them, many laws have been passed to prohibit or restrict the keeping of pets.
Hedgehogs come in 17 different species, however they are not all the same. When threatened, they all curl into a ball and have the distinctive spines.
Some are white, but the majority are brown. Furthermore, ear sizes differ; some species, like Brandt’s hedgehog, have four toes rather than the typical five, while others resemble bats.
From least to most similar, these six creatures are similar to hedgehogs.
1. Sea Urchin
Scientific name (class): Echinoidea
Why Sea Urchins Are Like Hedgehogs: Sea urchins have spines all over them, and the word “hedgehog” is precisely where their name comes from.
Underwater creatures in the same phylum as sea lilies and starfish comprise more than 950 species of sea urchins. Their spines are the reason they are on the list, but that is the extent of their similarity.
The round, spine-covered shells of sea urchins really conceal their lack of a brain.
Additionally, they have calcium spines that are designed to break off when an object approaches too closely. This is significantly different from hedgehogs, which develop spines made of keratin, which is the same material as fingernails and human hair.
Sea urchins consume all kinds of food. They do, however, eat mussels, barnacles, plankton, and algae.
Although they are not very similar, the sea urchin is named after the hedgehog. In the past, urchins were referred to as “sea hedgehogs,” and the word “urchin” was derived from the Old French word “herichun,” meaning hedgehog.
2. Porcupines
Scientific names (families): Hystricidae or Erethizontidae
Why Porcupines Are Like Hedgehogs: Like hedgehogs, porcupines have quills or spines comprised of thick keratin.
Two rodent groups with remarkably similar appearances and quills make up the porcupines. Their name, which means “spiny pig” in literal translation, describes their propensity to develop strong spines on their head and back.
Every porcupine has a quill. Nonetheless, porcupettes, or baby porcupines, are tender. Over the course of a few days to weeks, those quills solidify into thick layers of keratin.
Another common misconception is that porcupines are capable of shooting quills. They are unable to.
Quills, on the other hand, are loosely linked, which makes it easy for them to adhere to an attacking animal and cause pain. Nonetheless, a lot of tarantulas have the ability to discharge spines, also known as urticating bristles, by using their hind legs to flick loose spines at potential assailants.
Africa, Asia, Italy, South America, and North America are all home to porcupines. Compared to their European and Asian cousins, porcupines from North America also typically have a disproportionately higher number of quills.
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3. Moonrats
Scientific name: Echinosorex gymnura
Why Moonrats Are Like Hedgehogs: They are called “primitive hedgehogs” because moonrats resemble hedgehogs so much before they develop spines.
The majority of Westerners are unaware of moonrats. But these creatures from Southeast Asia are frequently referred to as “primitive hedgehogs” since they resemble hedgehogs so much. On the surface, however, many also resemble opossums quite a little.
Also, moonrats lack spines. They have a thicker layer of keratin covering the hairs on their back instead. Hairs also group together to provide the impression of bristles.
Since there is only one species of moonrat, they are extremely rare. But that species comes in a wide variety of sizes, and depending on the conditions, it can grow up to three times in size.
4. Solenodon
Scientific name (family): Solenodontidae
Why Solenodons Are Like Hedgehogs: Solenodon resemble hedgehogs, but instead of spines, they have thinner bristles.
Another uncommon and little-known animal species are solanodons. One of the two extant species is found in Cuba, while the other is found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Both of them have a hedgehog-like appearance. But that likeness is only superficial because they split off from other extant mammals some 73 million years ago.
Solenodons have bristles and are tiny. But their quills are absent. Rather, their thick bristles have additional keratin layers, giving the appearance of a hedgehog and shrew crossed.
It is estimated that there are fifteen poisonous mammals. That is why, in spite of their similarity to the far more common hedgehog, they are quite unusual in their own way.
5. Tenrec
Scientific name (family): Tenrecidae
Why Tenrecs Are Like Hedgehogs: At first appearance, some Tenrec species are so similar to hedgehogs that they are difficult to distinguish.
Hedgehogs, porcupines, rats, and even mice are all very similar to tenrecs, a very diverse group of creatures. The appearance of some species, such as the greater hedgehog tenrec, is remarkably similar.
Of the 31 species of tenrecs, the majority resemble hedgehogs in some way. The dense, keratinous bristles of the majority also resemble hedgehogs’.
The majority of people, however, are unaware that any Tenrec species are native to Madagascar. Despite this, they are very popular at zoos, and depending on the species, they may even be mistaken for hedgehogs.
Additionally, most tenrecs weigh less than two pounds. They can actually be smaller than most mice, with the smallest species being only 1.8 inches in length. At more than 15 inches in length, the tailless tenrec is the largest.
Tenrecs are also renowned for producing 20–32 children at once. That is, more than any other type of mammal!
6. Echidnas
Scientific name (family): Tachyglossidae
Why Echidnas Are Like Hedgehogs: Often referred to as “spiny anteaters,” echidnas resemble hedgehogs with long beaks.
Commonly referred to as spiny anteaters, echidnas frequently resemble a hybrid of an anteater and a hedgehog. New Guinea and Australia are the species’ native habitats; it is not found anyplace else in the world.
In addition, echidnas come in four different species. The platypus and those four species are the only extant mammals that can lay eggs. Since they have beaks as well, they resemble platypus quite a bit.
In other ways, echidnas resemble hedgehogs. They have bristly and keratinous spines all over them. Additionally, when they are frightened, they curl into a ball to ward off most predators.
Echidnas, on the other hand, mostly consume termites and ants, in contrast to hedgehogs. To locate food, they excavate and demolish anthills. Then, using a long, sticky tongue, they seize ants and draw them back up through their beak.
The platypus and other aquatic animals are the ancestors of echidnas. These days, though, they are just land creatures. Some species do, in reality, only inhabit the highest altitudes of mountains. This indicates that certain species only exist in a relatively small portion of Australia.
Conclusion
Many creatures resemble hedgehogs. Most of them, though, aren’t even that closely connected. Instead, the same sharp faces, tails, and spines repeatedly evolved throughout nature.
There is also another thing that nearly all of these species share. In most places, you cannot keep them as pets. Actually, a lot of them are protected species that aren’t allowed to leave their home nations. Therefore, this list will not be helpful to you if you were looking for pets like hedgehogs.
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