Examples of animals that look like porcupines include the African pygmy hedgehog, Algerian hedgehog, amur hedgehog, armadillo girdled lizard, and armored rat.
There are quite a few animals that look strikingly similar to these spiny creatures. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common animals that people mistake for porcupines. We’ll also explore what makes these animals look so similar to porcupines and why they are often mistaken for them.
Examples of Animals that Look Like Porcupines
1. African Pygmy Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Atelerix albiventris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | across much of Eastern, Western, and Central Africa |
The African pygmy hedgehog is a small mammal that is native to Africa. These animals are often kept as pets in the United States. They have quills on their back that are used for defense. When they feel threatened, they will raise their quills and make themselves look larger. This makes them look similar to porcupines.
2. Algerian Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Atelerix algirus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Algeria, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain, and Tunisia |
The next animal on our list is the Algerian hedgehog. These small mammals are native to North Africa and look very similar to porcupines. They have a similar body shape and size, and their quills are also quite sharp. However, there are some key differences between these two animals.
For starters, hedgehogs have shorter quills that are not as thick as those of porcupines. Additionally, their quills are not barbed, which means they can’t easily penetrate the skin.
3. Amur Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Erinaceus amurensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the Amur Oblast and Primorye in Russia, Manchuria in China, and the Korean Peninsula |
The Amur hedgehog is a small mammal that is native to Russia and China. These animals are often mistaken for porcupines because of their spiny exterior. The Amur hedgehog has short, dark brown fur with white stripes running down its back. Its quills are sharp and can be up to 3 inches long.
4. Armadillo Girdled Lizard
| Scientific Name | Ouroborus cataphractus |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | South Africa |
The armadillo girdled lizard is a type of lizard that is found in Africa. These lizards are brown or tan in color and have a row of spines down their backs. These spines make the armadillo girdled lizard look very similar to a porcupine.
5. Armadillo Spiny Tailed Lizard
| Scientific Name | Ouroborus cataphractus |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | South Africa |
The armadillo spiny tailed lizard is a common animal that is often mistaken for a porcupine. This is because they both have spines on their tails. The main difference between these two animals is that the armadillo spiny tailed lizard has scales instead of quills.
6. Armoured Rat
| Scientific Name | Hoplomys gymnurus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Latin America, from northern Honduras to northwest Ecuador |
One of the most common animals that people mistake for porcupines is the armoured rat. These rats are found in many parts of Africa and South America, and they get their name from the fact that they have thick, armour-like fur on their backs.
This fur is made up of long, sharp spines, which can be up to 10 cm long. When the rat is threatened, it will raise its back and display its spines in order to intimidate predators.
7. Bare-Bellied Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Paraechinus nudiventris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa and Europe |
These creatures are found in Africa and Europe and closely resemble porcupines. They have a similar body shape and size, and they also have quills that cover their backs.
The main difference between these two animals is that the quills of a bare-bellied hedgehog are not as sharp as those of a porcupine. In addition, the quills of a bare-bellied hedgehog are brown or black, while the quills of a porcupine are white.
8. Brandt’s Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Paraechinus hypomelas |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | parts of the Middle East and Central Asia |
If you live in Europe or Asia, then you may be familiar with the Brandt’s hedgehog. This small mammal is often mistaken for a porcupine due to its spiny appearance.
The Brandt’s hedgehog is covered in short, sharp spines that are used for self-defense. These spines are not barbed like the quills of a porcupine, so they do not become lodged in an attacker’s skin.
9. Crown Of Thorns Starfish
| Scientific Name | Acanthaster planci |
| Type of Animal | Echinoderms |
| Range | on reefs in the Indo Pacific region, including the Great Barrier Reef |
The Crown Of Thorns Starfish is a type of sea star that is covered in sharp, venomous spines. These spines are used to deter predators and help the starfish to move around on the ocean floor. The Crown Of Thorns Starfish is native to coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.
10. Daurian Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Mesechinus dauuricus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Northern Mongolia |
The Daurian hedgehog is a small mammal that is found in the forests of Northeast Asia. It is often mistaken for a porcupine because of its quill-like spines. These spines are used for defense and are sharp enough to puncture human skin.
11. Desert Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Paraechinus aethiopicus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout the Middle East and parts of Africa |
The desert hedgehog is a small mammal that is found in the deserts of Africa and the Middle East. These animals are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. They have a brown or grey fur coat with white patches on their stomach and back. Their quills are actually spines that are covered in thick, dark hair.
12. Echidna
| Scientific Name | Tachyglossidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout New Guinea and mainland Australia, as well as Tasmania, King Island, Flinders Island and Kangaroo Island |
The echidna is a small, spiny mammal that is native to Australia and New Guinea. These animals are often mistaken for porcupines because of their similar appearance. Echidnas have a body covered in short, stiff spines, and they also have a long, pointed snout.
13. Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Hemiechinus auritus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Afghanistan, China, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan |
The Egyptian long-eared hedgehog is one of the most common animals that people mistake for a porcupine. These hedgehogs are native to North Africa and look strikingly similar to porcupines, with their quill-like spines and long ears.
14. European Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Erinaceus europaeus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Europe from Iberia and Italy northwards into Scandinavia and westwards into the British Isles |
The European hedgehog is one of the most common animals that people mistake for a porcupine. These animals are small, have spines on their back, and are brown or black in color. They also have a short snout and small eyes.
15. Four-Toed Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Atelerix albiventris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | across much of Eastern, Western, and Central Africa |
The four-toed hedgehog is a small mammal that is found in Africa, Europe, and Asia. These animals get their name from the fact that they have four toes on each foot. Hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures that sleep during the day and come out at night to forage for food.
16. Gaoligong Forest Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Mesechinus wangi |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Yunnan Province |
The Gaoligong forest hedgehog is a small mammal that is found in the forests of China. It is one of the most common animals that people mistake for a porcupine. This is because the Gaoligong forest hedgehog has quills that are very similar to those of a porcupine.
17. Hugh’s Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Mesechinus hughi |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | central China |
At first glance, Hugh’s hedgehog looks a lot like a porcupine. They both have spines sticking out of their backs, and they are both brown in color. However, upon closer inspection, you will notice that Hugh’s hedgehogs have shorter spines than porcupines.
18. Indian Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Paraechinus micropus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | India and Pakistan |
The Indian hedgehog is a small mammal that is found in the dry forests and scrublands of southern India. These animals are nocturnal and have a diet that consists mainly of insects. They get their name from the quills that cover their back, which are used for defense against predators.
19. Indian Long-Eared Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Hemiechinus collaris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | India (Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) and Pakistan (North West Frontier Province, Punjab and Sindh) |
The Indian long-eared hedgehog is a small mammal that is found in parts of India and Sri Lanka. These hedgehogs are nocturnal and live in dry, scrubby areas. They are brown or gray in color with long, pointed ears. They have quills on their backs that are used for defense.
20. Lionfish
| Scientific Name | Pterois |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | coral reefs in the tropical waters of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans |
Lionfish have long, spiny fins that they use to ward off predators and catch prey. These fins can be up to 18 inches long, making them some of the longest fins on any fish.
21. Long-Eared Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Hemiechinus auritus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Central Asian countries |
These small hedgehogs are found in Africa and Asia. They get their name from their long, pointy ears. Their quills are shorter than those of a porcupine and are not as sharp.
22. North African Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Atelerix algirus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Mediterranean conifer and mixed forest climates as are present in southern mountainous regions of Spain and northern Africa |
The North African hedgehog is one of the most common animals that people mistake for a porcupine. These creatures have a similar body shape and size to porcupines, and they also have quills on their back.
23. Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Erinaceus roumanicus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Poland, Austria and the former Yugoslavia, and south to Greece and the Adriatic Islands |
The northern white-breasted hedgehog is a small mammal that is found in Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. They are nocturnal creatures that have a spiny coat of quills on their backs. These quills are not poisonous, but they can be sharp enough to cause pain if they pierce the skin.
24. Pufferfish
| Scientific Name | Tetraodontidae |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | tropical and subtropical ocean waters |
Pufferfish are just like porcupines because of their spiny, quill-like appearance. These fish are covered in sharp, poisonous spines that they use to defend themselves from predators. When pufferfish feel threatened, they puff up their bodies to make themselves look bigger and more intimidating.
25. Sea Urchin
| Scientific Name | Echinoidea |
| Type of Animal | Echinodermata |
| Range | Worldwide |
Sea urchins are small, spiny creatures that live in the ocean. They have a round body with spiked covered skin. Their spikes are used for protection and help them to move around in the water.
26. Somali Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Atelerix sclateri |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Somalia and Somaliland |
The Somali hedgehog is a small mammal that is native to the Horn of Africa. It is closely related to the African pygmy hedgehog and is often mistaken for a porcupine. These animals have a spiny coat of fur that covers their entire body.
27. Southern African Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Atelerix frontalis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout southern Africa, specifically in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe |
At first glance, the Southern African hedgehog looks quite a bit like a porcupine. They both have spines sticking out of their backs and they are both nocturnal animals. However, there are some key differences between these two animals. For one, hedgehogs are much smaller than porcupines.
28. Southern White-Breasted Hedgehog
| Scientific Name | Erinaceus concolor |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Southwestern Asia |
The Southern white-breasted hedgehog is a small mammal that is found in Africa and parts of Asia. These animals are covered in spines, which helps to protect them from predators. They also have a short snout and small eyes, which can make them look somewhat like a porcupine.
29. Spiny Oakworm Moth
| Scientific Name | Anisota stigma |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | from the Atlantic Coast from southern New England to central Florida, west to southern Ontario and Minnesota, south to central Texas |
The Spiny Oakworm Moth is a type of caterpillar that can be found in the eastern United States. These caterpillars are covered in sharp spines that give them a similar appearance to porcupines.
30. Spiny Orb-Weaver
| Scientific Name | Gasteracantha cancriformis |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | anywhere in the southern states, ranging from southern California to Florida |
These spiders are found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They get their name from the spines that cover their bodies. These spiders are not venomous and they are not considered to be dangerous to humans.
31. Spiny Starfish
| Scientific Name | Marthasterias glacialis |
| Type of Animal | Echinoderms |
| Range | southwest coasts of England and Wales and west coast of Britain |
Spiny starfish are found in all the world’s oceans. They vary in color, but they are typically some shade of brown or red. They have five arms that are covered in large spines. These spines help to protect the starfish from predators.
32. Thorny Devil Lizard
| Scientific Name | Moloch horridus |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | arid Australia |
These lizards are native to Australia and can grow to be about 20 cm long. They are covered in sharp spines that make them look very similar to porcupines. The Thorny Devil Lizard also has a tail that is covered in spines.
33. Three-Spined Stickleback
| Scientific Name | Gasterosteus aculeatus |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | marine, brackish and coastal freshwater habitats of the northern hemisphere |
The three-spined stickleback is a small fish that is found in freshwater habitats all over the world. These fish get their name from the three spines that protrude from their back.
34. Western Saharan Spiny Mouse
| Scientific Name | Acomys airensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern Mauritania, Mali and Niger but which may also occur in Chad, Western Sahara and southernmost parts of Algeria |
This mouse is found in the deserts of northern Africa and looks very similar to a porcupine. The main difference between these two animals is that the spiny mouse has no quills on its back. Instead, it has long, stiff hairs that protrude from its body. These hairs help to protect the mouse from predators and the hot desert sun.
35. Whiptail Stingray
| Scientific Name | Dasyatidae |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | worldwide in tropical to temperate marine waters, and a number of species have also penetrated into fresh water in Africa, Asia, and Australia |
These animals are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They get their name from their long, whip-like tails. Whiptail stingrays can grow to be up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many animals that are often mistaken for porcupines. This is because these animals share some similarities, such as their sharp quills or spines. However, there are also some key differences that set them apart. Porcupines are larger than most other animals on this list, and their quills are also barbed, which makes them more dangerous.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.