Echidna

Echidna is a type of mammal known for its unique characteristics and behaviors. It is one of the few mammals that lay eggs and is covered in coarse hair and spines. Echidnas are also known as spiny anteaters due to their diet and physical appearance.

Description

Echidnas are small, solitary mammals covered in coarse hair and spines. They have elongated and slender snouts that function as both mouth and nose. Their short limbs are adapted for rapid digging, with large claws on their hind limbs.

Diet

Echidnas have a diet that primarily consists of ants and termites, hence the common name of spiny anteater. They have a particularly long, sticky tongue that they use to catch their prey.

Reproduction

Echidnas are one of the few mammals that lay eggs. The female lays a single soft-shelled, leathery egg 22 days after mating, and deposits it directly into her pouch. The egg hatches after ten days.

Habitat

Echidnas are found in Australia and New Guinea. They live in a variety of environments, including forests, meadows, arid areas, and even mountains.

Conservation Status

Echidnas are not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, they face threats from habitat loss and traffic accidents.

See Also

• Mammal
• Egg
• Ant
• Termite
• Australia
• New Guinea

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Echidna

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  Short-beaked echidna in ANBG
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  Onkapringa River NP echidna spines
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  Echidna skeleton
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  Long-beaked Echidna
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  Echidna in Canberra
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  Echidna, Exmouth