Some members of the Galericinae resemble certain microtine rodents in general appearance but have longer muzzles. All members of this subfamily lack spines.
Hedgehogs have barbless spines on the back and sides, and hair on the face, limbs, and underparts.
In the family, head and body length is 105-460 mm and tail length is 10 to approximately 325 mm. In total length, Echinosorex is the largest genus, and Neotetracus the smallest. The snout of gymnures and hedgehogs is elongate and blunt, and the eyes and ears are well developed. The tail is hairy. The members of this family have five digits on each foot, except for some forms of Atelerix, which have only four digits on the hind foot.