Some may find a 6-inch, creamy white hedgehog cute, but released into the wild it would pose a threat to Hawaii’s environment.

Department of Agriculture officials Monday were thankful that didn’t happen and instead a 6-month-old hedgehog with pink eyes was turned over to the Hawaiian Humane Society through the state’s amnesty program.

The spiny mammals reproduce quickly and could potentially become invasive here because it has no predators in the islands. They are nocturnal and could threaten native birds by feeding on their eggs.

“We rather they turn them in than put them out in the wild,” said Keevin Minami, a land vertebrate specialist with the state Agriculture Department.

Minami issued a reminder that to protect Hawaii’s environment possession of certain animals is illegal — a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine.

But there are no questions asked if a person turns in an illegal animal smuggled into the islands.

Hedgehogs like the one that was turned in feast on snails, lizards, insects, worms, mice and birds, and could potentially threaten the state’s endangered native snails and birds.

At least four have been turned over to the state program in the last 12 years, Minami said.

Hedgehogs are commonly sold in pet shops on the mainland, but is native to Europe, Asia and Africa. It has become an invasive species in New Zealand, where it was introduced, and feeds on native shore birds and lizards.

Hedgehogs have spines for protection and resemble porcupines but the two are unrelated.

Minami said the hedgehog is healthy, but did not know its gender because it’s “hard to check when he balls himself up in a ball.”

The hedgehog will not be destroyed or subjected to a fatal rabies test, which requires removal of brain tissue. Minami said the animal was likely kept as a pet and is not known to be a carrier of rabies.

It will be offered to the Honolulu and Panaewa zoos, or may be sent to an animal rescue facility on the mainland. Until then it will be kept in the DOA quarantine room.

The Agriculture Department encourages anyone who knows of an illegal animal or is in possession of one to call 643-PEST (7378).