short-beaked echidna
ExploreMammals
short-beaked echidna
Tachyglossus aculeatus
The short-beaked echidna is a spiky mammal that loves to dig! It has a long tongue to catch ants and termites, and it lays eggs like a bird, which is very special for a mammal.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The short-beaked echidna has a stocky, rounded body covered in coarse brownish-black fur and sharp, cream-colored spines. Its distinctive long, slender, tube-like snout, often called a 'beak,' is pale pink at the tip and contrasts with its dark fur.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderMonotremataFamilyTachyglossidaeGenusTachyglossus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A baby echidna is called a puggle, and it hatches from a leathery egg!
Echidnas are monotremes, one of only two kinds of mammals that lay eggs!
Echidnas can roll into a super tight, spiky ball, protecting their soft belly!
They can sense tiny electrical signals using their snout to find hidden insects!
Special abilities
Ability
Spiky Shield
Short-beaked echidna has sharp spines that helps them deter predators and protect themselves by curling into a ball.
Ability
Super Digger
Short-beaked echidna can rapidly dig into the ground because of strong claws, that helps them escape danger quickly.
Ability
Sticky Snare
Short-beaked echidna can catch insects with its long, sticky tongue because of specialized saliva, that helps them gather prey.
Ability
Egg Wonder
Short-beaked echidna can lay eggs, a very rare trait for a mammal, that helps them reproduce in a unique way.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 30-45 cm
- Weight
- 2-5 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Top Speed
- 3 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 27-28 days
Diet & Feeding
This spiky mammal loves munching on ants, termites, and other small insects it finds underground!
Primary Foods
- ants
- termites
- earthworms
- beetle larvae
- grubs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Dingo
Canis dingo
Young echidnas are vulnerable to dingoes.
eaten by
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Aquila audax
Eagles can prey on echidnas from above.
eaten by
Tasmanian Devil
Sarcophilus harrisii
Devils are known to scavenge or hunt echidnas.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Also known as
Spiny Anteater
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
If you see an echidna, watch it from a distance and don’t try to touch it, as it can be prickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is short-beaked echidna?
30-45 cm
How much does short-beaked echidna weigh?
2-5 kg
How long does short-beaked echidna live?
10-15 years
How fast can short-beaked echidna move?
3 km/h
What does short-beaked echidna eat?
This spiky mammal loves munching on ants, termites, and other small insects it finds underground!
Where is short-beaked echidna usually found?
Grasslands
How does short-beaked echidna hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does short-beaked echidna usually have?
1
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