European Ground Squirrel vs hedgehog

Spermophilus citellus compared with Erinaceus europaeus

Key Differences

• European Ground Squirrel is Endangered while hedgehog is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European Ground Squirrel	hedgehog
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Erinaceomorpha (Erinaceomorpha)
Family	Sciuridae (Squirrels)	Erinaceidae
Genus	Spermophilus	Erinaceus
Species	Spermophilus citellus	Erinaceus europaeus

Evolutionary Relationship

European Ground Squirrel and hedgehog share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

European Ground Squirrel

EN — Endangered

hedgehog

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European Ground Squirrel	hedgehog
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

European Ground Squirrel

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Ukraine. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

hedgehog

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (China, Japan), Europe (8 countries), and Oceania and the Pacific (New Zealand).

hedgehog

hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Widespread and abundant across its range, with stable populations and no immediate conservation concerns.