How to Say “Hedgehog” in Mexican (Mexican Spanish)

By Jonathon Kym • Updated October 16, 2026

erizo

neutral

A hedgehog is an erizo in Mexico. The same word is used for the sea urchin when it is erizo de mar.

Use erizo for the small spiny animal that people keep as a pet.

Meaning: small spiny mammal (noun)

Which one should you use?

A porcupine is a different animal, the puercoespín. Do not mix the two words.

How do you pronounce it?

It is eh-REE-soh, with the stress on ri.

Did you know?

The Spanish erizo comes from Latin ericius, which also named the hedgehog.

Examples in context

Vi un erizo en un video.
I saw a hedgehog in a video.
Los erizos tienen espinas.
Hedgehogs have spines.
Probé erizo de mar en la costa.
I tried sea urchin on the coast.

Example conversation

Inés and her brother Gael watch a nature program at home in Xalapa.

Gael

Mira, es un erizo.
Look, it is a hedgehog.
Inés

Se hizo bolita.
It curled into a ball.
Gael

Con esas espinas nadie lo molesta.
With those spines nobody bothers it.

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About The Author

Jonathon Kym

Hola, I'm Jonathon, with an infectious fascination for the Mexican language and culture. My passion for words spills over into my writings, where I explore both traditional and colloquial Mexican phrases. I love distilling the essence of everyday words prised from the ordinary to the extraordinary, like 'avocado' and 'amber'. When not penning down these intriguing facets, you can find me exploring local Mexican cuisine or practicing 'Lucha Libre'. So, come and join me on this voyage into the beautiful quirks of the Mexican language. ¡Hasta la vista!

Jonathon KymHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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