At 33 ☌ (91.4 ☏), the echidna also possesses the second-lowest active body temperature of all mammals, behind the platypus.ĭespite their appearance, echidnas are capable swimmers, as they evolved from platypus-like ancestors. The external ear is created by a large cartilaginous funnel, deep in the muscle. The ears are slits on the sides of their heads that are usually unseen, as they are blanketed by their spines. The echidna feeds by tearing open soft logs, anthills and the like, and using its long, sticky tongue, which protrudes from its snout, to collect prey. Echidnas have tiny mouths and toothless jaws. Their claws on their hind limbs are elongated and curved backwards to aid in digging. Įchidnas have short, strong limbs with large claws, and are powerful diggers. Echidnas use their electroreceptive beaks to sense earthworms, termites, ants, and other burrowing prey. The short-beaked echidna, which lives in a drier environment, has no more than 400 at the tip of its snout. Like the platypus, they are equipped with electrosensors, but while the platypus has 40,000 electroreceptors on its bill, the long-beaked echidna has only 2,000. They have elongated and slender snouts that function as both mouth and nose. There have been several reports of albino echidnas, their eyes pink and their spines white. They are usually black or brown in coloration. Superficially, they resemble the anteaters of South America and other spiny mammals such as hedgehogs and porcupines. The spines are modified hairs and are made of keratin, the same fibrous protein that makes up fur, claws, nails, and horn sheaths in animals. Physical characteristicsĮchidnas are medium-sized, solitary mammals covered with coarse hair and spines. Īn alternative explanation is a confusion with Ancient Greek: ἐχῖνος, romanized: ekhînos, lit.'hedgehog, sea urchin'. EtymologyĮchidnas are possibly named after Echidna, a creature from Greek mythology who was half-woman, half-snake, as the animal was perceived to have qualities of both mammals and reptiles. This ancestor was aquatic, but echidnas adapted to life on land. Echidnas live in Australia and New Guinea.Įchidnas evolved between 20 and 50 million years ago, descending from a platypus-like monotreme. The diet of some species consists of ants and termites, but they are not closely related to the true anteaters of the Americas, which (along with sloths and armadillos) are xenarthrans. The four extant species of echidnas and the platypus are the only living mammals that lay eggs and the only surviving members of the order Monotremata. Until the early 20th century, it was hunted for its fur, but it is now protected throughout its range.Echidnas ( / ɪ ˈ k ɪ d n ə z/), sometimes known as spiny anteaters, are quill-covered monotremes (egg-laying mammals) belonging to the family Tachyglossidae / t æ k i ˈ ɡ l ɒ s ɪ d iː/. The platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales.

The unique features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of its 20-cent coin. It is one of the few venomous mammals, the male platypus having a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate hoax.

It is the sole living representative of its family and genus, though a number of related species have been found in the fossil record. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth. Platypus The platypus is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania.

Are duck billed platypus marsupials