Erinaceomorpha; The Order Of Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs were formerly just a family (Erinaceidae) of the now defunct order Insectivora, along with shrews and moles of the families Soricidae & Talpidae, respectively. Now, they form their own order, as evidence has shown them to be more distant a relative to the shrews and moles, who are still placed together in another new order (Soricomorpha). Within this order, Erinaceidae is the only family, with just one species in the UK - the very familiar western hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Globally, there are 21 species within 10 genera.