Short-beaked Echidna

Short-beaked Echidna
Information
Common Name	Short-beaked echidna, Spiny anteater
Range	Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea
Scientific Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Monotrematae
Family	Tachyglossidae
Genus	Tachyglossus
Species	Tachyglossus aculeatus
Conservation Status
Least Concern

Appearance

The short-nosed echidna measures 12 to 18 in long (30-45 cm) and the tail is around 3/8 in (1 cm). They typically weigh around 5.5 to 15 lbs (2.5-10 kg). Echidnas have no neck, their head joins at the shoulders.

Habitat

Short-nosed echidnas prefer living in temperate forests, deserts, grasslands, and savannas.

Behavior

Short-nosed echidnas are solitary creatures and are active both during the day and night, however, they may become inactive in unusually high or low temperatures.

Diet

Short-nosed echidnas prefer to feed on ants, termites, and worms, which they find with their keen sense of smell. It is possible that the echidnas sense electric signals with sensors on the ends of their long snouts.

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