The Echidna, Spiny Anteater, scientific name Tachyglossus aculeatus, is only one of two egg laying mammals in the world and dates back as far as the Triassic Period when dinosaurs roamed the earth, so show you how versatile they are, to live this long.
The echidna the platypus come under the term of Montremes, which is the name given to egg laying mammals. There are two echidna species, the long beaked and short beaked echidna,the long beaked echidna is to be found along with the short beaked echidna in New Guinea, but are on the threatened species list, due to the hunting and eating of these species. The short beaked echidna is also found in most parts of Australia and is still reasonably common, living on termites, certain varities of ants and also insects.
Echidna's only lay one soft shelled egg and this is moved into the mothers pouch (some thing like a kangaroos pouch, when the little echidna reaches a certain weight he is then left in a burrow, and the mother calls back every couple of days and feeds him, and then after around 12 months he is big enough to look after himself (or herself which ever it may be). Any more information on this creature then please contact the writer. |
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