Hedgehogs have survived for over 15 million years and are thought to be one of the oldest mammals on earth. They are not found in America or Australia but are widespread in the rest of the world.
In all, there are 5 genera of hedgehogs and 16 different species.
Use the menu to find out more about each genus and species of hedgehog. Whilst they all have spines, their size, colour and shape varies. Which one is your favourite?
Atelerix sclateri
Common Name: Somali Hedgehog
Characteristics: Chocolate-brown and black banded quills
White fur on the underbelly and brown on the rear.
Length: 7-10 inches
Weight: 300-700 grams
Range: Northern Somalia
Photo: Stjerne, starzoo.eu
Algerian Hedgehog
- Characteristics: Chocolate-brown and cream banded quills. White fur on the underbelly.
- Length: 8-14 inches
- Weight: 400-1000 grams
- Range: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Northern Libya, Southern France, Spain, Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Malta & Djerba
- Photo: href=”http://www.fotonatura.org/”>http://www.fotonatura.org/
Common Name: White-Bellied Hedgehog or Four-Toed Hedgehog or African Pygmy Hedgehog
- Characteristics: Chocolate-brown and black banded quills. White fur on their underbelly. No ‘great toe’ on their back feet (which all other species have).
- Length: 7-10 inches
- Weight: 300-700 grams
Range: Central and Eastern Africa
Common Name: Chinese or Amur Hedgehog
- Characteristics: Chocolate-brown banded quills (usually)
- Colour variations are extensive in this species – they can vary from dark brown through to pale or even albino variations. White fur on the underbelly.
- Length: 12-15 inches
- Weight: 700-1000 grams
Range: China, Manchuria & the Korean Penisula
Common Name: Eastern European Hedgehog
- Characteristics: Chocolate-brown banded quills. Brown fur on the underbelly and white patch of fur on their chest.
- Length: 12-15 inches
- Weight: 700-1000 grams
Range: Eastern Europe – Czechoslovakia, as far south as Israel and north beyond the Caspian sea.
Common Name: Western or European Hedgehog
- Characteristics: Chocolate-brown banded quills. Brown fur on the underbelly.
- Length: 12-15 inches
- Weight: 700-1000 grams
Range: Britain, Ireland, Southern Scandinavia, Western Europe & New Zealand
Grace is this species of hedgehog!
Common Name: Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog
- Characteristics: Similar to the European Hedgehog but with a white spot on the chest.
Range: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey & Ukraine.
Photo: Mikhail Kolesnikov
Common Name: Long-eared Hedgehog
- Characteristics: Light brown banded quills which are faintly grooved. Long, flexible ears and long legs.
- Length: 7-10 inches
- Weight: 300-700 grams
Range: Northern Africa to Mongolia; Libya, Israel, Iraq, Iran & Pakistan
Photo: Gmelin
Common Name: Harwicke’s Hedgehog
- Characteristics: Very dark brown banded quills. Dark brown fur on the underbelly.
- Length: 6-8 inches
- Weight: 200-500 grams
Range: Eastern Pakistan & Northern India
Common Name: Daurian Hedgehog
- Characteristics: Brown banded quills.
- Length: 8-11 inches
- Weight: 450-700 grams
Range: Eastern Mongolia, Manchuria & China
Common Name: Hugh’s Hedgehog or Central Chinese Hedgehog
- Characteristics: No central parting of the spines on the crown of the head. Long ears. Well-developed big toe. No face mask.
Range: Central China
Common Name: Ethiopian Hedgehog
- Characteristics: A ‘desert hedgehog’. Pale brown banded quills. Dark legs. Underbelly fur ranges from a mixture of brown, black, and white to plain brown. Masked face and a white stripe across the forehead.
- Length: 6-10 inches
- Weight: 400-700 grams
Range: Throughout North Africa
Picture: Hanne Jens Eriksen/naturel.com
- Characteristics: A ‘desert hedgehog’. Very long dark brown quills. No white stripe on the forehead.
- Length: 9-12 inches
- Weight: 500-900 grams
Range: Oman, Yemen, Iran Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan & Pakistan
Photo: Jonas
Common Name: Indian Hedgehog
- Characteristics: A ‘desert hedgehog’. Pale brown quills. Dark mask and grey/white forehead. Pointy nose and dark legs.
- Length: 5-7 inches
- Weight: 300-400 grams
Range: India & Southern Pakistan
Common Name: Madras or Bare-Bellied Hedgehog
- Characteristics: Once thought to be rare, but now known as locally common in certain states of Southern India.
- Not much is known about this particular species of hedgehog
Range: Southern India
Photo credit: Jude
