Short-beaked echidna
species of mammal / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is the only member of its genus, and one of four living species of echidna.
Quick Facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
Short-beaked echidna[1] | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Synapsida |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Monotremata |
Family: | Tachyglossidae |
Genus: | Tachyglossus Illiger, 1811 |
Species: | T. aculeatus |
Binomial name | |
Tachyglossus aculeatus (Shaw, 1792) | |
Short-beaked echidna range |
Close
The short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus, is the spiny anteater because they eat ants and termites. It is covered in fur and spines. It has a special nose (snout) and a special tongue that lets the echidna catch its prey at a great speed. It lays eggs, like the other monotremes.
The echidna lives throughout Australia, and in coastal and highland regions of southwestern New Guinea.[3] In Australia, it is the most widespread native mammal. It is not threatened with extinction, but human activities, such as hunting, habitat destruction, and the introduction of foreign predators and parasites, have reduced its range.