Animal Profiles
Mammals

Echidna

Tachyglossidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Echidnas are spiny, egg-laying mammals. The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), found in Australia and New Guinea, is the representative described here.

Tachyglossus aculeatus (echidna)

Representative species: Tachyglossus aculeatus.

Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Short-beaked echidnas occupy Australian and New Guinean habitats from dry country to woodland and mountain environments. This account does not cover every echidna species.
Habitat
Temperate forest, Grassland, Desert, Mountains
Diet
Insectivore
Food
Ants, termites and other invertebrates are gathered with a sticky tongue.

Classification

Common name
Echidna
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Tachyglossidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Monotremata
Family
Tachyglossidae
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It lays eggs rather than giving birth.
  • Adults lack teeth.
  • Strong forefeet open insect nests.

Habitat and range

Short-beaked echidnas occupy Australian and New Guinean habitats from dry country to woodland and mountain environments. This account does not cover every echidna species.

Appearance and adaptations

Spines cover the upper body, with fur between them. A narrow snout and long tongue reach insects in soil and nest crevices.

Diet and behaviour

Ants, termites and other invertebrates are gathered with a sticky tongue. It digs for food and shelter. Activity and periods of torpor vary with climate, location and reproductive condition.

Sources

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