The definitive answer is that hedgehogs are not native to Pennsylvania or anywhere in the continental United States. The spiny mammals, known scientifically by genera such as Erinaceus and Atelerix, exist within the state only as exotic, non-native animals kept by humans. Any encounter with a hedgehog in the wild involves an animal that has either escaped from a home or been illegally released.
Non-Native Status of Hedgehogs in Pennsylvania
Hedgehog species worldwide are indigenous to Europe, Asia, and Africa, with no naturally occurring population in North or South America. These insectivorous mammals evolved in different ecosystems than the temperate forests and fields of Pennsylvania. Their biological needs and environmental adaptations are foreign to the state’s climate and native habitats. Therefore, no established wild population of hedgehogs exists within the Commonwealth.
If a hedgehog survived long enough to reproduce in the wild, it would be considered an invasive species. Non-native animals pose a threat by competing with local wildlife for food or potentially introducing novel pathogens. The Pennsylvania Game Commission maintains a strict stance against non-indigenous wildlife to protect the state’s natural biodiversity.
Native Pennsylvania Wildlife Commonly Mistaken for Hedgehogs
Confusion arises because Pennsylvania is home to several small, nocturnal mammals that share superficial characteristics with a hedgehog, particularly the presence of spines. The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is the most commonly mistaken animal due to its prominent quills. However, the porcupine is a large rodent, measuring between 20 and 36 inches long and weighing up to 28 pounds, making it significantly larger than the small, 4- to 12-inch hedgehog.
A porcupine’s quills are structurally different from a hedgehog’s spines. Quills possess a microscopic barb at the tip that causes them to detach easily and embed in a predator. In contrast, a hedgehog’s spines are not barbed and remain firmly attached as the animal defends itself by rolling into a tight, armored ball. Porcupines are also largely herbivorous and adept at climbing trees, using a long, muscular tail for balance.
Another animal occasionally misidentified is the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana), North America’s only native marsupial. Like the hedgehog, the opossum is nocturnal and has a pointed snout, but its body is covered in gray fur and it possesses a long, naked, prehensile tail. The opossum’s defense mechanism is to enter a state of involuntary shock known as playing dead, rather than relying on a spiny coat.
Tiny, nocturnal insectivores like the various species of shrews (Soricidae family) also share a distant biological lineage with hedgehogs. Shrews possess a long, pointed snout and actively forage for insects and worms, but they are mouse-sized and lack defensive spines. Examining these animals closely reveals distinct differences in size, physical features, and defensive behaviors compared to the true hedgehog.
Hedgehogs as Exotic Pets and Regulatory Considerations in the State
The hedgehogs found in captivity are typically the African Pygmy Hedgehog, a domesticated hybrid descended from the Four-toed Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). These animals are kept as exotic pets due to their manageable size and temperament. However, Pennsylvania law is restrictive regarding the possession of non-native wildlife, including hedgehogs.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission requires a special permit for the possession of exotic animals, and the requirements for obtaining this permit are stringent. Legal ownership of a pet hedgehog is difficult and uncommon for the average resident. The primary reason for this restriction is the potential ecological risk should the animal escape and establish a wild population.
The African Pygmy Hedgehog is native to the warm, equatorial regions of Africa and requires an ambient temperature range of 72°F to 79°F to thrive. If an escaped hedgehog encounters temperatures below 65°F, it risks entering torpor, an attempted hibernation often fatal for this species. Pennsylvania’s cold winters and fluctuating temperatures make survival for a released hedgehog impossible.
Due to legal restrictions, anyone finding a stray hedgehog should not attempt to keep or release it. Instead, contact local animal control or a specialized wildlife rescue center. These organizations possess the necessary resources and permits to handle non-native animals safely. The illegal release of any exotic animal is subject to significant fines and penalties.