Short-Beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

The Short-beaked Echidna is found throughout the entirety of Australia, including Tasmania. They inhabit forests, woodlands, heath, grasslands, and arid environments.

Photo of a short beaked Echidna; a very rounded animal with spikes across the entire body in colours of black, brown and tan, with tiny eyes at front low to the ground either side of a long grey-black snout. The fore feet are large by comparison, but largely hidden and the rear feet for digging appear to be on backwards!

Using its pointed snout and sharp claws, the Short-beaked Echidna breaks into ant and termite nests and catches its prey by flicking its long sticky tongue in and out. An Echidna tongue can be up to 17cm long!

Like the Platypus, the Short-beaked Echidna is an egg-laying mammal or ‘monotreme’ and lays one egg at a time.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • A baby Echidna is called a “Puggle.”
  • Echidnas are the most widespread mammal in Australia.
  • Echidnas are good at swimming and are sometimes seen cooling off at the beach on hot days.
  • Echidna’s blow bubbles to clear dirt out of their noses!