Amur Hedgehog vs least weasel

Erinaceus amurensis compared with Mustela nivalis

Key Differences

  • Amur Hedgehog is Least Concern while least weasel is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Amur Hedgehog least weasel
Kingdom same Animalia (Animals) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordates) Chordata (Chordates)
Class same Mammalia (Mammals) Mammalia (Mammals)
Order Erinaceomorpha (Erinaceomorpha) Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family Erinaceidae Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)
Genus Erinaceus Mustela
Species Erinaceus amurensis Mustela nivalis

Evolutionary Relationship

Amur Hedgehog and least weasel share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Amur Hedgehog

LC — Least Concern

least weasel

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Amur Hedgehog least weasel
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Amur Hedgehog

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Japan.

least weasel

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, tundra, and tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, among 4 distinct biome types spanning the Australasia and Oceanian and Palearctic realms.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Sao Tome and Principe), Asia (Cyprus), Europe (11 countries), and Oceania and the Pacific (New Zealand). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Amur Hedgehog

The Amur Hedgehog (Erinaceus amurensis) is a species in the genus Erinaceus. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

least weasel

least weasel (Mustela nivalis) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia