Scientific name: Tachyglossus aculeatus
Note: There are actually four main species of echidna: the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), the Sir David's long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), the eastern long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bartoni), and the western long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bruijnii).
Echidnas are named after Echidna, a creature from Greek mythology who was half-woman, half-snake, as the animal was perceived to have qualities of both mammals and reptiles.
The echidna, also known as the "spiny anteater," is an unusual mammal. Female echidnas do not birth live young, but lays eggs! Egg-laying mammals are called monotremes. There are only five monotremes in the world: four echidna species, and one platypus species.
Echidnas are found throughout Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, from the highlands to the deserts to the forests. They are solitary creatures. They are covered in spines, and have long snouts lined with electroreceptors, a feature only found on land in echidnas and platypuses.
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