Hedgehog/porcupine

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They are two quite different species. A hedgehog is any of the small spiny mammals of the family Erinaceidae. A porcupine is any of 27 species of rodent belonging to the families Erethizontidae or Hystricidae.

Much more information can be garnered by Googling both words. I would not be surprised to hear that some laymen confuse the terms.
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One thing I know about them is that hedgehogs don't 'shoot' their spines while porcupines do. 

PBF

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I don't think that porcupines can shoot their spines either, PBF-- they just become detached very easily.
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Your're right. I didn't think they do so either. But its a good way to tell them apart. It would be a bit too dramatic to actually shoot their spines

I think you would be interested to look at this picture, which I think is really "a bit too dramatic": http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/porcupinedog.asp.

Hedgehogs are cute. Many people confuse them with porcupines.
There is also a third kind of animal with spines. They are the Ec

Whoa. That's disturbing.  I really meant that to think of porcupines literally shooting out spines as they would do in cartoons is a little bit too dramatic.

PBF

Hi PBF,

I want to apologize for linking to a picture that you find disturbing.
I know what you meant. I was just trying to give a real example to show that although porcupines do not shoot out their spines literally, they could still be dangerous. On the other hand, I have seen photos and videos on the net showing people playing with their pet hedgehogs. They are really cute.

No worries Pter. I agree that small hedgehogs do look quite cute. 

PBF

Hedgehogs and porcupines are differing animals.
Hedgehogs are smaller less oh whats the word threating.
They also are REALLY cute.

AngliholicHi,
Today, my colleague and I talked about the two words, hedgehog and porcupine. As far as I'm concerned, they are about the same. But I need your opinions. Thanks

Hi,

I remember you started a similar threada couple of months ago.