Short-beaked Echidna

The Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is a mammal found throughout Australia where it is the most widespread native mammal, and in coastal and highland regions of southwestern New Guinea. It is one of four species of extant echidna, and the only one in the genus Tachyglossus. Together with the three species of long-beaked echidna and the Platypus, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.

It is also known as the Spiny Anteater because of its diet of ants and termites. The Short-beaked Echidna is covered in fur and spines and has a distinctive snout and a specialized tongue, which it uses to catch its prey at a great speed.

It is not threatened with extinction, but human activities, such as hunting, habitat destruction and the introduction of foreign predatory species and parasites, have reduced the distribution of the Short-beaked Echidna in Australia.