Page 86 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

86 ATLAS OF THE WORLD’S STRANGEST ANIMALS

Short-beaked Echidna

These extraordinary, egg-laying mammals make their homes throughout

Australia and New Guinea. Despite their comical, waddling gait and wire-brush
bodies, these distinctive ‘spiny anteaters’ are true survivors.They have been so
successful as a species that they’ve changed little since their ancestors walked
with dinosaurs.

ORDER Monotremata / FAMILY
Key Facts Tachyglossidae / GENUS & SPECIES
Tachyglossus aculeatus

Weight 2–7kg (4.4–15.4lb) depending
on subspecies
Length 30–45cm (11.8–17.7in) depending
on subspecies

Sexual maturity 4–5 years
Breeding season May–Sept but varies throughout range
Number of eggs 1
Incubation period 21–28 days

Breeding interval 2–6 years
Typical diet Ants and termites
Lifespan Up to 45 years in the wild;
50 in captivity

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.