The largest hedgehog in Egypt. Ears long, but shorter than in H. auritus, pale, with rounded tips but pointed from spines. Dorsum with an area free of hairs parallel to body axis, as in P. aethiopicus. Its face is light in color, usually appearing to be white, and the legs and head are brown. The underbelly of this animal can vary in color, and is often either brown or white in color. The ears on the North African Hedgehog are highly visible on the head of the animal and are large in size. The body is covered in soft spines that are primarily white with darker banding. The North African Hedgehog is most distinguishable from physically similar relatives by the lack of spines on the crown of the head, meaning a lack of the widow's peak.