Echidna
| Echidnas | |
|---|---|
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| Western Long-beaked Echidna | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Monotremata |
| Family: | Tachyglossidae Gill, 1872 |
| Species | |
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Genus Tachyglossus |
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Echidna, the spiny anteater,[1] is a monotreme that lives in Australia and in New Guinea. They are the living members of the family Tachyglossidae.
Echnidas have a long, tube-like mouth with a sticky tongue, and they are also covered in spines. They have mammary glands, and lay eggs.
The echidna has a way of protecting itself. With its long, sharp claws, they quickly dig a hole until only their spines are showing. The predator will not be able to get to it without injuring itself. When there is a fire, the Echidna will dig down out of reach of the fire.
Contents |
Food [change]
The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus) eats termites and ants. The three Zaglossus species also eat other small insects and grubs. Echidnas pick up the prey with their sticky tongues.
Species [change]
- Family Tachyglossidae
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Wikispecies has information on: Tachyglossidae. |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tachyglossidae |
References [change]
- ↑ Echidna Retrieved on 21 October 2007
Other Websites [change]
