What is what kind of animal is knuckles?

Knuckles is a fictional character from the Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise. He is an anthropomorphic echidna, a spiny mammal native to Australia and New Guinea. Knuckles possesses strong muscles and sharp claws, which he uses in battle and to climb walls and trees. He is also famous for his ability to glide through the air using his large, red-colored dreadlocked dreadlocks. Knuckles is characterized as being tough and independent, but also loyal and trustworthy to his friends.