What is Short-beaked echidna facts?
The short-beaked echidna is a spiny egg-laying mammal found in Australia and New Guinea.
Anatomy, behavior and diet
Strong claws dig soil; a long sticky tongue gathers ants and termites. It has no teeth. The female carries an egg in a temporary pouch and feeds the hatchling milk. Spines aid defense, but it is not a hedgehog relative.
Habitat and conservation
It occupies scrub, forest and open habitats. Roads and habitat change create local risks. Despite a slow appearance it digs powerfully; leave wild individuals space rather than handling them.
Related topics
Sloth factsMeerkat factsCapybara factsCheetahHippopotamusWhat are invertebrates?Bornean orangutanRed kangarooBeaver factsBrown bearRuby-throated hummingbird factsFacts about beesCommon wombat factsFacts about sea turtlesKoalaWandering albatross factsRed pandaChimpanzeeFacts about wolvesFacts about whalesWhat are birds?Facts about dolphinsWhat are food chains and food webs?Plains zebraNorth American porcupine factsGiant anteater factsCalifornia sea lion factsGolden eagleGiant pandaToco toucan factsCommon octopusWhat are amphibians?Common seahorse factsAxolotl factsWhat are mammals?What are vertebrates?Arapaima factsOkapiFacts about elephantsWhat is the animal kingdom?Facts about penguinsWhat are arachnids?Western gorillaVeiled chameleon factsRed foxWhat are animal pollinators?Giraffe factsWhat are fish?TigerSea otter facts