What's the difference between a hedgehog and a porcupine?

The hedgehog and the porcupine are two distinct species. The confusion between the two creatures seems to stem from both animals' rather prickly exteriors. However, the animals are not closely related to each other, and differ widely in a number of respects. read more

• Porcupine is a rodent while hedgehog belongs to the Order: Erinaceomorpha. • Porcupine is a spine-covered mammal while hedgehog is a spiny-skinned mammal; in other words, porcupine has more prominent spines than hedgehog does. read more

Porcupine quills can be barbed, and quills are released by contact or sometimes if the porcupine shakes its body. As a result, it is potentially much more painful to interact with a porcupine than a hedgehog, since with a porcupine you are likely to get a spine embedded in your skin, and it is likely to hurt coming out due to the barbs. read more

They are very different species. Hedgehogs are omnivores from the primitive order Erinaceomorpha and are indigenous to Europe, Asia, and Africa. They are small- many species can be held in the palm of your hand. read more

Both porcupine and hedgehog are much similar looking but different animals with some noticeable differences exhibited between them with regard to their characteristics and distribution patterns. Despite their close appearance, some meticulous studying would reveal the differences between them. read more