# Western long-beaked echidna (*Zaglossus bruijnii*) The Western long-beaked echidna is a special animal that lays eggs like a bird! It has a long snout and spiky fur, making it look very unique and cute. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Western long-beaked echidna](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Long-beakedEchidna.jpg&width=800) Photo: User:Jaganath, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Long-beakedEchidna.jpg) ## Appearance The Western long-beaked echidna is covered in coarse, dark brown to black fur, often partially concealing its sharp spines. It has a distinctive, long, downward-curving snout, small eyes, and stout, powerful limbs. Its unique beak-like snout makes it visually distinct from its shorter-beaked relatives. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Monotremata - **Family:** Tachyglossidae - **Genus:** Zaglossus ## Interesting facts - It's one of only five types of mammals that lay eggs, not live babies! - Its incredibly long, tube-like snout is perfect for poking deep into soil for snacks. - Scientists thought this echidna was extinct for almost 60 years before finding it again! - This echidna has no teeth and instead crushes its food using spines on its tongue! ## Special abilities - **Electric Snout:** Western long-beaked echidna can find hidden food by sensing tiny electrical signals because its sensitive snout helps it detect earthworms underground. - **Tunnel Vision:** Western long-beaked echidna has strong claws and short powerful limbs that help them dig burrows quickly to escape danger or search for food. - **Spiky Armor:** Western long-beaked echidna has stiff, sharp spines embedded in its fur that helps protect it from predators by making it hard to grab. - **Worm Grabber:** Western long-beaked echidna can extend its long, sticky tongue far out to snatch up worms and insects from tight spaces. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 45-77 cm - **Weight:** 5-16 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-50 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 17-23 days ## Diet & Feeding This echidna slurps up earthworms and other creepy crawlies from the forest floor. - **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Insect larvae, Beetle larvae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Feral Dog (*Canis familiaris*) — Hunted by feral dogs in its forest habitat. - **Eaten by:** Amethystine Python (*Simalia amethistina*) — Large pythons may prey on young or smaller echidnas. - **Parasitizes:** Echidna Tick (*Amblyomma echidnae*) — Ticks attach to its skin and feed on its blood. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see an echidna, watch it from a distance and don't try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western long-beaked echidna? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Western long-beaked echidna? 45-77 cm ### How much does Western long-beaked echidna weigh? 5-16 kg ### How long does Western long-beaked echidna live? 30-50 years ### How fast can Western long-beaked echidna move? 5 km/h ### What does Western long-beaked echidna eat? This echidna slurps up earthworms and other creepy crawlies from the forest floor. ### Where is Western long-beaked echidna usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Western long-beaked echidna hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Western long-beaked echidna: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-long-beaked-echidna)