Short-Beaked Echidna
Tachyglossus aculeatus
Found throughout Australia and southern New Guinea. They are mostly active at dusk and dawn (i.e. are “crepuscular”). In winter they hiberate in holes in the ground. The echidna is famous for its coarse hairs and spines which it uses to defend against predators, where it will burrow into the ground leaving the spines sticking out. The echidna is insectivorous eating solely ants and termites.
- Size:
- Up to 45cm long , weighing up to 7kg
- Diet:
- Ants and termites!
- Speed:
- Slow moving perhaps up to a max of 3km/hr
- Habitat:
- Most forest and shrubland habitats in Australia
- Superpower:
- Has a long 18cm sticky tongue which it pokes into ant holes. It can flick this tongue in and out up to 100 times per minute!