An Australasian mammal; coat with spines; minute tail; long claws used for digging; long narrow snout and sticky tongue; eats ants and termites, or larger insects and earthworms; young develop in pouch. (Family: Tachyglossidae, 2 species.)
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Western Long-beaked Echidna |
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Genus Tachyglossus The two extinct species are: Zaglossus robustus Zaglossus hackettiTachyglossus genusThe Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is found in south east New Guinea and also occurs in almost all Australian environments: from the snow-clad Australian Alps to the deep deserts of the Outback: essentially anywhere that ants and termites are available. DescriptionEchidnas are small mammals that are covered with coarse hair and spines. The four species of echidna, along with the Platypus, are the only egg-laying mammals. In popular cultureKnuckles the Echidna is a character in the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series. In the BBC TV series The Koala Brothers, Sammy the Echidna runs the General Store. An echidna named Millie was used as one of the mascots for the 2000 Olympic Games. |
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