Hedgehogs and porcupines are often confused as they share similar physical features such as spiky quills, but there are several notable differences between these two animals. Differences Between Hedgehogs and Porcupines will help you understand them better.

Size

One of the most noticeable differences between hedgehogs and porcupines is their size. Porcupines are typically much more significant than hedgehogs, with some species growing up to 36 inches long. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, are usually around 4 to 12 inches in length.

Quills

Both hedgehogs and porcupines are known for their quills, which they use for protection. However, porcupines have longer quills, with some species having up to 30,000 quills. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, have shorter quills, with around 5,000 on their body.

Hedgehogs and porcupines are both animals known for their quills, which they use for protection against predators. However, there are significant differences between their quills. Hedgehogs have shorter quills compared to porcupines, with an average length of around 1 inch. They also have around 5,000 to 7,000 spines on their body, found all over their back with only a few areas left unprotected.

On the other hand, porcupines have longer and more numerous quills compared to hedgehogs. They can have up to 30,000 quills on their body, which are much longer, up to 20 inches. The African porcupine species can even grow quills over 11 inches long. Porcupines also have long spines that easily detach from their bodies when they feel threatened.

Lifespan

Hedgehogs have a lifespan of 3 to 8 years, although they can live up to 10 years in captivity. Porcupines, on the other hand, have a much longer lifespan, with some species living up to 27 years.

Diet

Hedgehogs are omnivores and eat a diet mostly of insects, although they may also eat vegetation. Porcupines, on the other hand, are herbivores and primarily eat plant material.

Appearance

Hedgehogs have triangular faces with a snout, while porcupines have a round face. Additionally, hedgehogs have poor eyesight and rely mainly on smell and touch to find food. Hedgehogs and porcupines are two different types of animals, and they differ in several ways. Firstly, hedgehogs have triangular faces with a snout, whereas porcupines have a round face.

Hedgehogs also have small but powerful legs and big feet with five toes each, except for the four-toed hedgehog which has four toes. On the other hand, porcupines have broad feet with long claws. In terms of their sense of sight, hedgehogs have poor eyesight and mainly rely on smell and touch to find food.

Their long snout with a wet nose gives them an excellent sense of smell. On the other hand, there is no mention of the visual acuity of porcupines in the provided search results.

Habitat

Hedgehogs can be found in a wide range of habitats, including suburban gardens, scrublands, and deserts. Porcupines, on the other hand, are found in forests, grasslands, and shrub-ridden deserts. Hedgehogs are found in a variety of habitats across the world.

Different hedgehog species occupy distinct types of environments. For example, some hedgehogs live in arid regions like deserts while others inhabit temperate regions and live in forests or meadows. Hedgehogs can also be found in scrublands, suburban gardens, grasslands, and woodland habitats.

They are commonly found in gardens in the United Kingdom and are known as the gardener’s friends because they eat many insects along with snails and other pests. Hedgehogs live in the wild in the regions of Africa, Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia, and they can adapt to different climates.

In North America, hedgehogs are not native; however, they can be found in wooded areas, along beaches, and in rural areas of the North.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hedgehogs and porcupines may look similar due to their quills, but they differ in many ways. Hedgehogs are smaller, have shorter quills, are omnivores, and have a shorter lifespan, while porcupines are larger, have longer quills, are herbivores, and have a longer lifespan.

Additionally, hedgehogs have triangular faces with a snout, while porcupines have a round face.  Hope the article Differences Between Hedgehogs and Porcupines will help you get more useful information.