What is the difference between hedgehogs and porcupines?

What is the difference between hedgehogs and porcupines?

Hedgehogs are much smaller than porcupines, have a sharp pointed nose (as opposed to the blunt, rounded nose of a porcupine), and have much stouter quills. The quills on a porcupine may be as long as a foot and have barbs on the end that stick into the skin of a brave, if naïve predator.

Is a hedgehog and a porcupine from the same family?

However, hedgehogs and porcupines aren’t actually related at all. There are 17 different species of hedgehogs, and their closest relations are actually shrews and moles. There are more than two dozen species of porcupines in the world, and they are a part of the rodent family. Porcupine quills easily fall off.

Why is a hedgehog called a hedgehog?

The hedgehog was named because of its peculiar foraging methods. These animals root through hedges and other undergrowth in search of the small creatures that compose the bulk of their diet—insects, worms, centipedes, snails, mice, frogs, and snakes.

Can a hedgehog shoot quills?

When threatened, the hedgehog raises its quills upright in a crisscross pattern, making its body pointy and sharp. Just like your hair, a hedgehog’s quills can fall out or break off, but the hedgehog cannot shoot its quills to defend itself. In Europe, people consider hedgehogs to be friends of backyards and gardens.

Do hedgehogs spikes hurt you?

The quills tend to lay down flat along the back and sides of the hedgehog, all pointing towards their rear end, so as long as you don’t push against the sharp tips of the quills (pet them backwards) they pose no problems or chance of being poked.

Do hedgehogs cuddle with you?

Do hedgehogs like to cuddle? Some pet hedgehogs do like to cuddle especially if they are babies and feel at ease with their owners. Whilst other hedgehogs may not like too much human contact. Each hedgehog has its own personality that defines how they interact with their owners.

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

Hedgehogs prefer to stay on the ground, while some porcupines are good tree climbers. Both animals are nocturnal, and both produce babies that do not have sharp quills that would hurt mom. Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets and baby porcupines are called porcupettes.

Why does a porcupine raise its quills when threatened?

Usually a porcupine’s quills lay flat against its body. But when the animal is threatened it raises them up as a warning signal, which also serves to make the animal look larger than normal.

What kind of food does a porcupine eat?

While a few will nibble at fruit or vegetables, they mainly eat meat. On the other hand, a porcupine loves plants and can often be found munching on wood. They’ll also scavenge the ground for fallen fruits, nuts, seeds, grass, and leaves.

What kind of food does a hedgehog eat?

It is mainly a carnivore. These minute mammals tend to feed on small snakes, frogs, slugs, insects, centipedes, worms, and snails. Hedgehogs tend to hibernate during cold climates and aestivate during dry climate. They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell.