Echidna vs. Hedgehog: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Echidnas are egg-laying mammals with spines and a specialized snout, while hedgehogs are small, nocturnal mammals with spiky coats, known for their rolling defense mechanism.
Key Differences
Echidnas are distinguished by their spiny coats, long snouts, and stout bodies. They possess a unique appearance among mammals. In contrast, hedgehogs are smaller, with a rounded shape and shorter spines covering their back. They are easily recognized by their cute, compact form.
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Dec 07, 2023
Echidnas are native to Australia and New Guinea, adapted to a variety of environments from forests to deserts. They are solitary and elusive creatures. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa, inhabiting gardens, forests, and meadows. They are more commonly observed due to their presence in populated areas.
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Dec 07, 2023
Echidnas are one of the few mammals that lay eggs, a trait shared with the platypus. They have a relatively long lifespan. Hedgehogs give birth to live young and have a shorter lifespan compared to echidnas. Their reproductive habits are more typical of mammals.
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Dec 07, 2023
Echidnas primarily feed on ants and termites, using their long, sticky tongues to capture prey. Their diet reflects their specialized foraging habits. Hedgehogs are more generalist, consuming insects, worms, and even small vertebrates. They are known for their beneficial role in pest control.
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Dec 07, 2023
Echidnas are solitary and have a unique defense mechanism of burrowing or using their spines to deter predators. They are also proficient diggers. Hedgehogs are famous for rolling into a tight ball when threatened, using their spines as an effective shield against predators.
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Dec 07, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Classification
Monotreme (egg-laying mammal)
Mammal (gives birth to live young)
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Echidna and Hedgehog Definitions
Echidna
Known for its distinctive spines and burrowing habits.
An echidna was spotted burrowing into the ground near the bush.
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Nov 25, 2023
Hedgehog
A small, nocturnal mammal with a spiny coat.
The hedgehog curled up into a ball when it sensed danger.
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Nov 25, 2023
Echidna
One of the few existing monotremes, or egg-laying mammals.
The echidna is a unique example of a monotreme in the animal kingdom.
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Nov 25, 2023
Hedgehog
Eats a diet of insects and small invertebrates.
The hedgehog was busy hunting earthworms in the soil.
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Nov 25, 2023
Echidna
Characterized by a specialized snout and tongue for feeding.
The echidna's tongue is adept at capturing termites.
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Nov 25, 2023
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Hedgehog
Commonly found in gardens and forests across Europe and Asia.
A hedgehog was rummaging through the garden last night.
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Nov 25, 2023
Echidna
A spiny, egg-laying mammal native to Australia and New Guinea.
The echidna uses its long snout to forage for ants.
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Nov 25, 2023
Hedgehog
Any of several small insectivorous mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae, native to Eurasia and Africa and naturalized in New Zealand, having dense erectile spines covering the back and sides and characteristically rolling into a ball for protection.
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Oct 19, 2023
Echidna
A solitary animal, often found alone in various habitats.
A solitary echidna was observed wandering in the desert.
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Nov 25, 2023
Hedgehog
Any of several spiny animals, such as the porcupine, that are similar to the hedgehog.
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Oct 19, 2023
Echidna
Any of several nocturnal burrowing egg-laying mammals of the genera Tachyglossus and Zaglossus of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, having a spiny coat, a slender snout, and an extensible sticky tongue used for catching insects.Also called spiny anteater.
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Oct 19, 2023
Echidna
Any of the species of small spined monotremes in family Tachyglossidae, the four extant species of which are found in Australia and southern New Guinea.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
An antisubmarine weapon consisting of several rows of mortar-like dischargers positioned to fire in a circular pattern ahead of a ship.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
An obstacle used against tanks and landing craft, consisting of three crossed iron bars welded or bolted together.
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Oct 19, 2023
Echidna
A genus of Monotremata found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. They are toothless and covered with spines; - called also porcupine ant-eater, and Australian ant-eater.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
A small mammal, of the family Erinaceidae or subfamily Erinaceinae (pl=s, the latter characterized by their spiny back and often by the habit of rolling up into a ball when attacked.)
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
(US) Any of several spiny mammals, such as the porcupine, that are similar to the hedgehog.
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Oct 19, 2023
Echidna
Burrowing spine-covered monotreme of Australia having a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
(military) Czech hedgehog an antitank obstacle constructed from three steel rails.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
A spigot mortar-type of depth charge weapon from World War II that simultaneously fires a number of explosives into the water to create a pattern of underwater explosions intended to attack submerged submarines. Category:en:World War II
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
(Australia) A type of chocolate cake (or slice), somewhat similar to an American brownie.
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Hedgehog
Certain flowering plants with parts resembling a member of family Erinaceidae
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
Medicago intertexta, the pods of which are armed with short spines.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
A kind of electrical transformer with open magnetic circuit, the ends of the iron wire core being turned outward and presenting a bristling appearance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
A way of serving food at a party, consisting of a half melon or potato etc. with individual cocktail sticks of cheese and pineapple stuck into it.
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Hedgehog
(differential geometry) A type of plane curve; see Hedgehog (geometry). Category:en:Curves
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Hedgehog
(military) To make use of a hedgehog barricade as a defensive maneuver.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
A small European insectivore (Erinaceus Europæus), and other allied species of Asia and Africa, having the hair on the upper part of its body mixed with prickles or spines. It is able to roll itself into a ball so as to present the spines outwardly in every direction. It is nocturnal in its habits, feeding chiefly upon insects.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
A species of Medicago (Medicago intertexta), the pods of which are armed with short spines; - popularly so called.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
A variety of transformer with open magnetic circuit, the ends of the iron wire core being turned outward and presenting a bristling appearance, whence the name.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
A defensive obstacle having pointed barbs extending outward, such as one composed of crossed logs with barbed wire wound around them, or a tangle of steel beams embedded in concrete used to impede or damage landing craft on a beach; also, a position well-fortified with such defensive obstacles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
Relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur
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Hedgehog
Small nocturnal Old World mammal covered with both hair and protective spines
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Oct 19, 2023
Hedgehog
Known for its ability to roll into a protective ball.
A hedgehog rolled away quickly when approached by a fox.
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Nov 25, 2023
Hedgehog
A symbol of cuteness and often featured in popular culture.
The child's favorite toy was a plush hedgehog.
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Nov 25, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a hedgehog?
A small, nocturnal mammal with a spiky coat, found in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
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Dec 07, 2023
How do echidnas defend themselves?
Echidnas use their spines and burrowing abilities for defense.
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Dec 07, 2023
What is an echidna?
A spiny, egg-laying mammal native to Australia and New Guinea.
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Dec 07, 2023
What do hedgehogs eat?
Hedgehogs eat insects, worms, and sometimes small vertebrates.
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Dec 07, 2023
How do hedgehogs defend themselves?
Hedgehogs roll into a tight ball, using their spines as a shield.
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Dec 07, 2023
Where can echidnas be found?
Echidnas are found in Australia and New Guinea.
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Dec 07, 2023
Are echidnas endangered?
Some species of echidnas are considered endangered due to habitat loss.
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Dec 07, 2023
Are hedgehogs social animals?
Hedgehogs are mostly solitary but can show social behavior.
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Dec 07, 2023
Where can hedgehogs be found?
Hedgehogs are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
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Dec 07, 2023
What is unique about hedgehog reproduction?
Hedgehogs give birth to live young, typically in litters of up to seven.
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Dec 07, 2023
Do echidnas have teeth?
No, echidnas do not have teeth; they use their tongue to eat.
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Dec 07, 2023
What is unique about echidna reproduction?
Echidnas lay eggs, which is rare among mammals.
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Dec 07, 2023
How long do hedgehogs live?
Hedgehogs typically live around 2-5 years in the wild.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can hedgehogs swim?
Hedgehogs can swim, but they are not naturally inclined to water.
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Dec 07, 2023
Are hedgehogs endangered?
Hedgehog populations are declining, but they are not currently listed as endangered.
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Dec 07, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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