What is the Difference Between Echidna and Hedgehog?

Echidnas and hedgehogs are both spiny mammals, but they have several differences in terms of their classification, size, appearance, behavior, and habitat. Here are the main differences between the two:

1. Classification: Echidnas are monotremes (egg-laying mammals) and belong to the family Tachyglossidae, while hedgehogs are placental mammals and belong to the family Erinaceidae.
2. Size: Echidnas are generally larger than hedgehogs, with an average weight of 9-15 pounds, while hedgehogs weigh 2-5 pounds.
3. Appearance: Echidnas have a solid color throughout their body, large feet with thick black nails, and elongated snouts with long tongues. In contrast, hedgehogs have a two-toned appearance, small dainty feet, and cone-shaped snouts.
4. Behavior: Both animals curl up into a ball and reveal their spines when stressed or threatened. However, hedgehogs are more commonly kept as pets, while echidnas are not. Echidnas are also prolific burrowers, while hedgehogs make nests.
5. Habitat: Echidnas are found mainly in New Guinea and Australia, and they prefer high elevation forests and mountainous regions. Hedgehogs are widespread across Asia, Europe, Africa, and New Zealand, and they enjoy damp and wet environments such as moorlands or coastal forests.
6. Diet: Echidnas primarily eat ants, termites, worms, and insect larvae, while hedgehogs are omnivorous animals that feed on toads, insects, melons, grass, berries, and more.
7. Teeth: Echidnas do not have teeth, while hedgehogs do.

Comparative Table: Echidna vs Hedgehog

Here is a table comparing the differences between echidnas and hedgehogs:

Echidnas are native to Australia and New Guinea, and are egg-laying mammals (monotremes) with spines and a long snout for eating ants. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand, and are placental mammals. Echidnas are larger in size than hedgehogs and have large feet with thick black nails for burrowing. Hedgehogs have small and dainty feet with hardly any visible nails. Echidnas have a single solid color throughout their body, while hedgehogs have a two-toned appearance. Echidnas mainly feed on insects, particularly ants and termites, while hedgehogs are omnivorous, consuming a wide variety of foods.