Short-beaked Echidna

Tachyglossus aculeatus

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Other Names: Spiny Anteater

Family: Tachyglossidae

Size: Head-to-body 23-35 cm. Tail 8 cm.

Weight: 2-7 kg

Distribution: All of Australia.

Status: Common to sparse.

Habitat: Almost all terrestrial (land) habitabs except for intensively managed farmland.

References: Menkhorst and Knight, Wikipedia.

About the Short-beaked Echidna

The echidnas are 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.

Weight: 2-7 kg

Diet: Ants, termites, other soil invertebrates, particularly beetle larvae.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution 1916 x 1277.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution 2832 x 1888.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution 3524 x 2349.

Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution 3008 x 2000.

Echidna skeleton. Photo by Sklmsta at Wikipedia.

Photo taken at Australian Reptile Park, Gosford NSW. High Resolution 3024 x 2012.

See Also

Australian Birds
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
Australian Wild Plant Foods

Return to Australian Mammals
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