February 2nd is National Hedgehog Day in the United States. Unfortunately, in southwest Colorado, hedgehogs (the animal) are not native, but hedgehog cactuses are! So, just for fun, here are four ways that hedgehogs, the animal, are similar to hedgehog cactuses.

They Are Both Pokey
This one is pretty obvious. You can clearly see the spikes on both the hedgehog and the hedgehog cactus. But did you know that even the fruit of the hedgehog cactus has thorns? These vibrant red fruits, which appear in summer, may look tempting, but their spiny covering can make harvesting a tricky task. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, have a nice soft belly and an adorable, leathery nose. As for the hedgehog cactus, be careful—it might not look like it has spines in certain areas, but don’t touch any part of this plant; it bites!
The Scientific Names Are Similar
The scientific name for the hedgehog cactus is Echinocereus triglochidiatus, which comes from echino, the Greek word for “hedgehog.” Meanwhile, the scientific name for a hedgehog is Erinaceus. Both names reflect their “pokey” nature, as the Greek root echino is often associated with spiny or prickly features.
Both Are Pretty Widespread
Hedgehogs, the animals, can be found on three continents (Europe, Asia, and Africa) and even on the island of New Zealand. Hedgehog cactuses, on the other hand, are native only to the Americas. These spiny plants can be found in at least seven U.S. states, stretching from California and Utah into Arizona, Texas, and northern Mexico. While the cactus thrives in volcanic soils and open, arid spaces, hedgehogs prefer woodlands, gardens, and terrain with lots of places to hide.

Both Are About the Same Length
A bundle of hedgehog cacti can grow up to 3 or 4 feet across, but an individual stem is only about 10 inches long and 4 inches in diameter. Interestingly, hedgehogs are about the same size, measuring roughly 10 inches long and standing 4 to 6 inches above the ground. Both types of hedgehogs might weigh about the same too, although picking up either is not recommended unless you want a handful of spikes!
Whether it’s the spiky exterior, their wide distribution, or their similar size, it’s fun to see how these vastly different organisms share so much in common. Next time you spot a hedgehog cactus while hiking in southwest Colorado, take a moment to appreciate the “little hedgehog” of the desert!

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