A genus of spiny rats or tree rats found in South America, characterized by their sharp spines mixed with regular fur.
From Greek 'echinos' (ἐχῖνος) meaning 'hedgehog' or 'spiny,' combined with 'mys' (μῦς) meaning 'mouse' or 'rat.' The genus name literally describes a 'spiny mouse' or 'hedgehog-mouse.'
These South American spiny rats use their sharp spines like porcupines for defense, but they're actually more closely related to other rodents than to true hedgehogs—a great example of convergent evolution!
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