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. External links Mikko's Phylogeny Archive Amphilemuridae Prehistoric Eulipotyphla Eocene mammals of Europe Prehistoric monotypic mammal genera Prehistoric placental genera Fossils of Germany Fossil taxa described in 1983