Scientific Name:- Tachyglossus aculeatus   Description: Echidnas or spiny anteaters can grow to about 40cm long and weigh up to 7 kilograms. It has a bare, tube like snout and a long sticky tongue. The feet are dark and have a set of powerful black claws. The second claw on each hind foot is elongated and is used to scratch and groom between its spines. It is covered by short, black hairs amongst the hard, sharp spines. These spines may reach 50mm long on the back but are shorter on the sides. Along with the platypus, echidnas are monotremes, strange mammals that lay eggs and then suckle their young.     Habitat: Echidnas are found all over Australia but is rarely seen because of its secretive habits. The echidna avoids extreme temperatures and shelters in burrows, caves or quickly makes a shallow excavation in the ground.     (Marsupials) | Koala | Grey-headed Flying Fox | Eastern Grey Kangaroo | | Tasmanian Devil | Common Wombat | Parma Wallaby | | Dingo | Spinifex Hopping Mouse | (Monotremes) | Platypus | Echidna |   Alt A + Enter - To Top | Australian Animals | Australian Birds | The First Australians | | Early Explorations | Floral Emblems | Sydney Harbour Bridge | | Home | Angel Pages | Christian Pages | Thought Provoking Poetry | | My Story | My Adopted Friends | Banner Exchange | | Outlook Express Stationery | Awards Section | Websets and Tiles | | Australia My Country | | SITE MAP | Alt A + Enter - To Top Contact the Webmistress by clicking on the text link below the dove Email Ruth This page created by Ruth a.k.a. Angel Alt A + Enter - To Top   [ Links open in a New Window ]     The AAA Compliancy was verified using WebXACT on the Watchfire Site To verify the compliancy of all pages on the site use the WebXACT link above & enter the URL into the area provided.   Copyright © Ruth's Haven 1999-2005