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| | Scientific name: Tachyglossus aculeatus
Size: 40cm
Status: Common
Diet: Termites and ants.
Habitat: Has no particular habitat requirements and is found all over Australia.
Breeding: Mating occurs in July and a single egg is laid into the pouch in August. The female makes a burrow and the young are seen from September to November.
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| | Location: | /Short-beaked+Echidna/$File/echidna.gif) | | |
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| | Short-beaked Echidna
 The spiny anteater.
The echidna and the platypus are monotremes - the most primitive types of mammals, which means they lay eggs but also suckle their young.
The female echidna grows a pouch and lays one egg only. Later the pouch closes up again.
Echidnas use their long, sticky tongue to gather their good (ants). Their quills help protect them. |
