What is the Difference Between Porcupine and Hedgehog?

Porcupines and hedgehogs are both prickly animals with sharp quills on their body, but they have several notable differences. Here are the main differences between porcupines and hedgehogs:

1. Size: Porcupines are larger than hedgehogs, with a length ranging from 25 to 36 inches, while hedgehogs are smaller, with a length ranging from 4 to 12 inches.
2. Weight: Porcupines are heavier, weighing between 5 and 56 ounces, compared to hedgehogs, which weigh between 5 and 16 ounces.
3. Quills: Porcupines have around 30,000 quills, while hedgehogs have about 5,000 quills. Porcupine quills are 2 to 3 inches long, while hedgehog quills, also known as spines, are about one inch long.
4. Nose: Hedgehogs have a sharp, pointed nose, while porcupines have a blunt, rounded nose.
5. Diet: Hedgehogs belong to the order Insectivora and primarily eat insects. Porcupines, on the other hand, belong to the order Rodentia and have a more diverse diet, including plants, fruits, and even bones.
6. Habitat: Porcupines and hedgehogs are from different continents. Porcupines are found in North and South America, Africa, and Asia, while hedgehogs are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.
7. Behavior: Hedgehogs are more commonly kept as pets due to their smaller size and shorter quills. Porcupines are larger and more aggressive against predators.
8. Classification: Hedgehogs and porcupines are not closely related taxonomically. Hedgehogs belong to the order Insectivora, while porcupines belong to the order Rodentia.

Comparative Table: Porcupine vs Hedgehog

Here is a table comparing the differences between porcupines and hedgehogs:

Porcupines are larger than hedgehogs, have more quills, and are herbivores, while hedgehogs are insectivores. Porcupines are also rodents, whereas hedgehogs are not closely related to them.