Pholidocercus is an extinct monotypic genus of mammal from the Messel pit related to and resembling the modern-day hedgehog with a single species, Pholidocercus hassiacus. Like the hedgehog, it was covered in thin spines. Unlike hedgehogs, it had scales on its head in a helmet-like formation, and had a long, thick, scaled tail.

Pholidocercus
Temporal range: Early Eocene, 47 Ma
P. hassiacus at the HMNS
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Amphilemuridae
Genus: Pholidocercus
von Koenigswald & Storch, 1983
Type species
P. hassiacus
von Koenigswald & Storch, 1983
Restoration
Pholidocercus hassiacus von Koenigswald and Storch 1983 with partially preserved fur and long, thick, scaled tail. Paratype of the publication
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