Did you know that hedgehogs are considered exotic pets? It’s true! Some regions of the world have bans on owning hedgehogs as pets, including the domesticated breeds. Below, we’ll introduce you to 17 types of hedgehogs, including domesticated breeds and wild species.
The 17 Types of Hedgehog Breeds
1. African Pygmy Hedgehog
The first of our domesticated hedgehog breeds, the African pygmy hedgehog is also known as the four-toed hedgehog. They are one of the most popular types of domesticated hedgehogs sold as pets. They’re solitary, nocturnal, and energetic, and they can run as much as 5 miles a night!
2. Algerian Hedgehog
The next most popular of all domesticated hedgehog breeds, a distant relative of the Algerian hedgehog, was domesticated by the Romans in the 4th century for meat, quills, and pets. They usually grow to be about 7 to 10 inches long.
3. Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog
Although smaller than European hedgehogs, when found in the wild, this domesticated breed often hibernates for short periods in summer and winter. Long-eared hedgehogs are parasite-prone, so be sure to source one from a reputable dealer if you’d like to keep one as a pet.
4. Indian Long-Eared Hedgehog
Indian long-eared hedgehogs are the last of four domesticated hedgehog breeds. They are native to India and Pakistan and can handle extreme heat and extreme cold much better than most hedgehogs.
5. European Hedgehog
European hedgehogs are often called common hedgehogs. They can grow up to a foot in length and live as long as 10 years.
6. Southern White-Breasted Hedgehog
Found in Eastern Europe and Western Asia, the southern white-breasted hedgehog differs from the European mainly by its white belly and its habit of making a nest from grass rather than digging.
7. Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog
Easily recognizable by their white bellies, northern white-breasted hedgehogs were originally found in Eastern Europe, but they have spread to Russia, Ukraine, and the Caucasus region.
8. Amur Hedgehog
The Amur hedgehog is native to Central Asia and can grow up to a foot long. They are also found in Southeastern Russia, Korea, and China.
9. Somali Hedgehog
As the only species on this list native to Somalia, these small hedgehogs have a white belly with brown or black legs.
10. Southern African Hedgehog
The handsome Southern African hedgehog has a distinctive white stripe on its head against otherwise dark fur. It is found in countries such as Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
11. Daurian Hedgehog
As a protected species in Russia and Northern Mongolia, the diminutive Daurian hedgehog grows only 6 to 8 inches long.
12. Hugh’s Hedgehog
Native to Central China and Manchuria, the voracious appetite of the Hugh’s hedgehog sometimes leads it to look for food during the daytime—a behavior not shared by other hedgehogs.
13. Desert Hedgehog
Native to the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East, the desert hedgehog is smaller than the Algerian, but larger than the African pygmy. They typically weigh about 10 to 18 ounces.
14. Indian Hedgehog
Though they bear a similar name to a domesticated hedgehog, this different species is found only in the wild. Indian hedgehogs live in the high mountain areas of India and Pakistan and are most distinguishable by their small size and mask-like face markings.
15. Brandt’s Hedgehog
The Brandt’s hedgehog is naturally found in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Yemen. It has very dark fur and quills and has much larger ears than most hedgehogs. When threatened, they have been known to jump at predators spikes-first!
16. Gaoligong Forest Hedgehog
The Gaoligong Forest hedgehog was discovered in 2018 and can only be found on the slopes of Mt. Gaoligong in the Yunnan province of China. They hibernate between October and April—almost half the year!
17. Bare-Bellied Hedgehog
Endemic to Southeastern India, this rare species was long thought to be extinct. Now, the bare-bellied hedgehog’s population is rising in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Final Thoughts
Found all over the world, hedgehogs are fascinating animals that often go unnoticed. We appreciate you taking the time to peruse our list of hedgehog species and hope that you enjoyed learning more about our favorite spiky mammals!
Related Reads:
- Why Is My Hedgehog Losing Quills? (Hedgehog Quilling)
- 9 DIY Hedgehog Cage Plans You Can Build Today (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Thanisnan Sukprasert, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 17 Types of Hedgehog Breeds
- 1. African Pygmy Hedgehog
- 2. Algerian Hedgehog
- 3. Egyptian Long-Eared Hedgehog
- 4. Indian Long-Eared Hedgehog
- 5. European Hedgehog
- 6. Southern White-Breasted Hedgehog
- 7. Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog
- 8. Amur Hedgehog
- 9. Somali Hedgehog
- 10. Southern African Hedgehog
- 11. Daurian Hedgehog
- 12. Hugh’s Hedgehog
- 13. Desert Hedgehog
- 14. Indian Hedgehog
- 15. Brandt’s Hedgehog
- 16. Gaoligong Forest Hedgehog
- 17. Bare-Bellied Hedgehog
- Final Thoughts
