curled into a ball; the snout is visible on the right.]]Echidna (), also known as "spiny anteater"http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/mammals/echidna/Echidnaprintout.shtml Retrieved on 21 October 2007, is a mammal belonging to the Tachyglossidae family of the monotremes. It is the only surviving genre in the latter order, together with the platypus. There are four species, living in New Guinea and Australia. The echidna is named after a monster in ancient Greek mythology.
Description
Echidnas are small mammals that are covered with coarse hair and spines. Superficially they resemble the anteaters of South America, and other spiny mammals like hedgehogs and porcupines. They have snouts which have the functions of both the mouth and nose. Their snouts are elongated and slender. They have very short, strong limb with large claws and are powerful diggers. Echidnas have a tiny mouth and a toothless jaw. They feed by tearing open soft logs, anthills and the like, and use their lon