Echidna Fun Facts

echidna

Echidnas are mammals that are uniquely found in Australia. It is so different from any other that it still puzzles researchers and scientists. It has remained unchanged since prehistoric times but has found ways to survive while other species became extinct. Also known as spiny anteaters that belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals. Aside from echidnas are four other extant species, which, together with the Platypus, are the only surviving members of the order and are the only extant mammals that lay eggs. 

What do Echidnas look like?
An Echidnas body is covered with 2 types of hair. A "normal" short coarse hair to keep them warm and long sharp spines each being a single hair but hard (similar to our fingernails in composition) The colouring and length of their "normal" hair differs wildly across Australia depending on climate and habitat).

In size Echidnas are between 35 - 45 cms long and weigh anything between 2-7 kg.

The Echidna has a pointy snout and an extremely long sticky tongue to catch ants and termites.

They feet have sharp claws for digging and though like the Platypus the male has a spur on its ankle, it is not poisonous They make a sniffing noise as they search for food.

Unique Habitat
The Echidnas main requirement is a large supply of ants and termites so Echidnas are found all over Australia from the highlands to deserts to forests The Echidna has no fixed home except when the female is suckling its young. Echidnas can be found in a variety of shelters from rocks to fallen wood, small caves, or even under bushes.

There is normally 3 options open to an Echidna when it feels threatened
1) Run away on its short stubby legs if on a hard surface such as a road or rocks.
2) Curl itself into a ball protecting its softer underbelly, and only showing sharp spines to its threat.)
3) Burrows down below the surface of the soil showing only its spines along its back, and holding on below the surface with its claws thus resisting being pulled out of the ground.

Normally the Echidna feeds at night on ants or termites. The tip of its snout or nose is sensitive to electrical signals from an insect body thus it searches and "sniffs" out ant and termite nests. Echidnas then normally tears into the mound or nest with its sharp claws (front feet) and its snout exposing the ants or termites and then catching them with its fast flicking sticky tongue. Because they have no teeth the Echidna crushes the insects between horny pads in its mouth.

Man especially the motor car kills hundreds every year on our roads Goannas eat young Echidnas. Dingoes, foxes as well as feral cats and dogs are also responsible for deaths. Lastly, as with most Australian animals. Bushfires and Droughts are a natural enemy.

Want to adopt a virtual echidna and play games online? Go to eKidnaworld.com and discover how echidnas make such a cute virtual character.