Details
Tachyglossus aculeatus
The short-beaked echidna is a monotreme of Australasian forests and grasslands. Solitary and flexible in activity, it searches the ground for insects.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses forest, grassland, and scrub, especially areas with leaf litter or soft soil. Logs, rocks, and sheltered ground provide resting sites.
Body length is about 30-45 cm and weight about 2-7 kg. Sharp spines, a long snout, and strong forefeet make it an effective digger.
Its activity shifts with temperature, and individuals range alone. When threatened, it may curl up or dig rapidly into the soil.
It is carnivorous, feeding mainly on ants, termites, and other small invertebrates. A sticky tongue draws prey from galleries and nests.
It is an egg-laying mammal. The young hatches and develops against the mother's underside, then is left in a protected nursery site as spines grow.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. As a monotreme, it is a clear example of the diversity of mammalian reproduction.
