Day #38 (7/10/2014) Short Beaked Echidna
We had such fun watching platypuses the other day. We headed off to our next stop on our short trip to Australia. We were on a mission to find the other monotreme (mammal that lays eggs) that lives in Australia too. We hiked for a quiet a while during the morning and finally hit the jackpot! We spotted an echidna! We were so excited!
Their range/habitat: Australia-New Guinea/deserts-forests
Their length/weight: 14-39″/9-15lbs Conservation Status: common
Their diet: Insectivores– ants, worms, termites
• Echidnas are also known as spiny anteaters.
• They are considered one of the oldest species on earth.
• Echidnas can live up to 50 years.
• Echidnas are solitary.
• They have a poor sense of sight, but an excellent sense of smell and hearing.
• Echidna snouts are also called beaks.
• They are excellent diggers.
• Echidnas have 6” tongues!
Echidnas may just be one of the most alien creatures that we have ever seen. They have remained nearly unchained since prehistoric times. They are just crazy and weird! Australia is an island full of these creatures. We can’t wait to see what we find tomorrow!
-Ellie and Edmond
The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond 