17 Types of Hedgehogs: Species, Identification, and Photos

Hedgehogs are small mammals that use their sharp spines to protect themselves. They have adapted to various habitats thanks to their keen sense of smell and hearing. Found across the globe, different types of hedgehogs show diversity not only in distribution ranges but also in their physical characteristics, behavior, and more. Read on to explore these spiny creatures.

Hedgehog Classification

Hedgehogs fall under the Erinaceidae family within the broader Eulipotyphla order, shared with shrews and moles. Within Erinaceidae are five distinct genera that diversely classify these creatures based on features and geography.

The Erinaceus genus includes larger, long-spined 'Old World' hedgehogs found across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Another genus, Atelerix, is home to the African Pygmy Hedgehog, which is also spread over Africa, a few parts of Europe, and Asia.

The Hemiechinus genus features adaptable hedgehogs with larger ears that thrive in the sandy terrain of Central and Southeast Asia. Mesechinus hedgehogs, noted for their sociability, endure in the colder regions of China, Mongolia, and Russia. There are two species: the Daurian Hedgehog and Hugh's Hedgehog.

Lastly, the Paraechinus genus includes the Desert Hedgehog and Brandt's Hedgehog, which comfortably inhabit the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

Read More: Hedgehog Facts.

Learn more about each species in the following sections.

17 Types of Hedgehogs

Quick links to the different types of hedgehog:

1. European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

The European Hedgehog, also known as the Common Hedgehog, weighs 2.42 pounds more than its African and Asian counterparts. It has a brown and white fur coat on its face and belly and approximately 5,000 to 7,000 spines on its back and sides. 

The animal eats insects, earthworms, snails, slugs, berries, melons, and fungi. It observes self-anointing behavior. Moreover, European hedgehogs live in various habitats and travel about a mile in a single night.

Scientists discovered erinacin in European hedgehogs¹. It helps prevent excessive bleeding and fights against certain harmful substances found in snake venom. 

2. Amur Hedgehog (Erinaceus amurensis)

The Amur Hedgehog, or Manchurian Hedgehog, is a unique species found in the eastern regions of Asia. It has a more rounded body shape than other hedgehog species. At about a foot long and weighing around 2.2 pounds, its spine is white at the base and darkens to black or brown at the tips. 

Moreover, it spends its days hidden in burrows to conserve energy for its night-time activities. Its diet includes insects, small mammals, reptiles, and occasionally fruits and plants. The Amur Hedgehog hibernates during winter, which not all hedgehogs do. 

Additionally, this animal prefers to live alone; males and females generally go their separate ways outside the breeding season. However, when the breeding season arrives, female hedgehogs give birth to a litter of 3-7 offspring after a gestation period of approximately 35 days.

3. Southern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor)

The Southern White-breasted Hedgehog or White-bellied Hedgehog lives in Central and Southeast Europe, all the way to the Caspian Sea. It has a white or cream-colored underbelly and a spiny coat of mixed browns and blacks. 

They mainly hunt at night and will often climb trees or flee when threatened. During the breeding season, a female can birth 4-6 offspring. While they typically live 2-5 years, this can extend to seven in favorable environments. 

4. Northern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus)

The Northern White-breasted Hedgehog inhabits Europe's central and eastern regions. Its belly is white, and its face is brown. 

With its short, sturdy legs, it burrows into the earth, hiding during the day and emerging at night to feed on insects, snails, and frogs. 

The white-breasted hedgehog lives close to humans and carries common tick species². Because of their proximity to urban areas, they can potentially spread vector-borne fleas to pets and then to people.

5. African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

The African Pygmy Hedgehogs or Four-toed Hedgehogs live in central and eastern Africa. Their popularity on YouTube videos has made them the most common pet hedgehog.

This oval-bodied animal features short legs, a short tail, a long nose, small beady eyes, and large ears and whiskers. As its name suggests, it has only four toes on each hind foot. 

The Four-toed Hedgehog can vary significantly in color, but wild specimens typically have brown or gray spines with white or cream tips and a body covered in speckled gray fur. Its face, legs, and underparts are white, while its muzzle is brown. The spines always have a white base and tip.

Domesticated hedgehogs are prized for their color and temperament. Their active nature leads many owners to furnish their enclosures with a large running wheel.

6. North African hedgehog (Atelerix algirus)

The North African hedgehog, also known as the Algerian hedgehog, is native to northern Africa, spanning Morocco to Libya. It has also spread to nearby regions, such as the southern highlands of Spain.

Among African hedgehog species, it uniquely ventures beyond Africa's geographic boundaries. Similar to the European hedgehog in appearance, this creature does have distinguishing differences. It's notably smaller than the European species yet larger than the other African hedgehogs. 

The animal sports a longer nose and legs, contributing to its speed. It possesses a light-colored face, usually appearing white. Brownish legs and head contrast against an underbelly that ranges from brown to white. Evident ears and soft spines, primarily white with darker bands, cover its body. Notably, it lacks spines on its head's crown.

7. Southern African hedgehog (Atelerix frontalis)

Southern African hedgehogs are prevalent throughout southern Africa, notably in places like Botswana and Zimbabwe. 

Identified by a brown covering and shades of other tones, they boast of hollow-shaft spines, each controlled by a muscle, across their bodies. These creatures flaunt a distinctive white stripe on their forehead, extending from leg to leg, which sets them apart. 

They enjoy Habitat loss, and trash provokes adaptations in their eating habits. Originally more insectivorous, they now have an omnivorous diet, feeding mainly on beetles and grasshoppers but also consuming frogs and lizards when the opportunity presents itself. 

8. Somali Hedgehog (Atelerix sclateri)

The Somali Hedgehog inhabits the arid regions of Somalia. Little is known about this species, but like other hedgehogs, they are nocturnal and armed with spines.

9. Egyptian Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus)

The Egyptian Long-eared Hedgehog is a desert-dwelling animal in Central Asia and the Middle East. Its most notable feature is its long ears, which help the animal dissipate heat. 

They prefer solitude and venture out of their burrows at night in search of insects, small vertebrates, fruits, and plants. When threatened, the Long-eared Hedgehog can curl into a ball, using its spines as a shield.

10. Indian Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris)

The Indian Long-eared Hedgehog lives in India and Pakistan. Its long ears and sharp spines act as natural armor, and when predators threaten it, it curls into a ball. 

The hedgehog is active mainly at night and can live in deserts, plains, and farmlands. It burrows in loose soil to shelter itself from harsh weather. Regarding diet, hedgehogs feed on insects, fruits, eggs, and small snakes. 

11. Daurian Hedgehog (Mesechinus dauuricus)

The Daurian hedgehog, a small solitary species, is considered endangered in Russia but has the least concern status in IUCN's Red List. Found primarily in Northern Mongolia and Russia's Transbaikal region, it prefers scrublands and rocky areas. 

Adults live mostly six years in the wild, hibernating in winter. Despite a decline in post-1960s pesticide introduction, the population shows signs of recovery and a geographical shift towards city regions.

12. Hugh's Hedgehog (Mesechinus hughi)

Hugh's Hedgehog, or Central Chinese Hedgehog, lives in China. Regionally listed as vulnerable, the hedgehog faces threats like hunting for food and medicine. It is present in some protected reserves in China, but there’s no evidence of its presence yet in other areas. Further research is needed to learn more about these creatures.

13. Gaoligong Forest Hedgehog (Mesechinus wangi)

Gaoligong or Wang's Forest Hedgehog, a species native to China, resides exclusively in the subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests of Mt. Gaoligong in Yunnan Province. 

This hedgehog significantly differs from others in its genus by displaying distinctive spine colors, a broad nasal region, and unique dentition. It populates only Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve and hibernates from mid-October to early April. Although unquantified, the population is assumed to be sparse.

14. Desert Hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus)

The Desert Hedgehog lives in North Africa and the Middle East. Its spines have dark bands at the base and tip with a white or cream band in the center. This coloration helps the creature blend in with the sandy surroundings. More importantly, these spines also act as a deterrent to predators. 

It can draw hydration from its diet of small vertebrates, beetles, and caterpillars to beat the heat. Moreover, it digs burrows to escape the extreme temperatures during the day and emerges at night to hunt. 

15. Brandt's Hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas)

Brandt's Hedgehog lives in the arid regions of Central Asia and the Middle East. Its adaptations against heat include long ears, lighter spikes, and faster running speed.

16. Bare-bellied Hedgehog (Paraechinus nudiventris)

The Bare-bellied hedgehog, commonly known as the Madras hedgehog, calls southeastern India's dry and scrubby landscapes home. Resembling a European hedgehog at first glance, it has a difference upon a closer look.

Distinct features include its pronounced ears and fairer face. The Barre-Bellied hedgehog’s behavior is similar to that of its European kin, being both solitary and nocturnal. Unlike its cousin, who hibernates during winter, this species seeks shelter or aestivates in summer to save energy.

17. Indian Hedgehog (Paraechinus micropus)

The Indian hedgehog, predominantly found in India and Pakistan, thrives in sandy desert areas. It is directly similar to the long-eared hedgehog, sporting a dark, masked face with a white cap. 

Boasting a husky body, it has a blend of brown hues, with a short head, an elongated snout, compact, dark eyes, and long ears. The diet ranges from insects, toads, bird eggs, snakes, and scorpions. When food is hard to find, these animals can slow their metabolism.