Australia, New GuineaFound in forests, grasslands habitats across Australia, New Guinea, the Echidna is an insectivore member of the Tachyglossidae family. Weighing 2.5–6.5 kg, it is exceptionally high among insectivore mammals. Conservation status: Least Concern.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| Metric | Echidna | Insectivore Mammals Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 4.5 kg | 2 kg | ↑ 125% |
| Height | 37.5 cm | — | — |
| Top Speed | 36 km/h | 32 km/h | ↑ 13% |
| Avg Speed | 36 km/h | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The Echidna inhabits forests, grasslands habitats. It can be found in Australia, New Guinea.
Typical coloring: Brown, Tan.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The Echidna is a solitary species belonging to the Tachyglossidae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
LC The Echidna is classified as Least Concern. There are 66 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 12 insectivore mammals, the Echidna’s weight of 2.5–6.5 kg is significantly higher than the group median of 2 kg.
Weight rank: #38 of 66 Least Concern species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Humpback Whale | Up to 30000 kg | LC |
| 2 | Walrus | Up to 1200 kg | LC |
| 3 | Yak | 500–1200 kg | LC |
| 4 | Water Buffalo | 300–1200 kg | LC |
| 5 | Zebra | 400–900 kg | LC |
Related Species
How much does a Echidna weigh?
A Echidna typically weighs 2.5–6.5 kg, which is exceptionally high compared to the median of 2 kg among insectivore mammals.
What is the conservation status of the Echidna?
The Echidna is classified as “Least Concern”. There are 66 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the Echidna live?
The Echidna is found in Australia, New Guinea, in forests, grasslands habitats.
How does the Echidna reproduce?
The Echidna has a gestation period of 22–28 days and typically produces 1 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026