Page 89 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNA 89

live young. Membership of this elite clique is limited plates are made from keratin – the same material as in
to just the platypuses and the echidnas.Although both human fingernails – and they are tough enough to grind
share common ancestors, the echidna branch of the up even the biggest, crunchiest termite with ease!
family diverged 19–48 million years ago and, in the The echidnas’ leathery snout is covered in sensitive
process, developed some quite surprising and receptors, which provide them with information about
sophisticated characteristics. their surrounding environment.They have an extremely
For instance, echidnas have no teeth.They don’t need well-developed sense of smell and excellent vision.They
them! Their short limbs and powerful front claws are have bigger brains than similar-sized creatures along with
perfect for digging and tearing open rotting logs, termite a highly developed cerebral cortex.This is the area of the
mounds and ant hills. Once inside, echidna need only lap brain responsible for attention, perception and memory.
up the contents with speedy flicks of their tongue.Tiny Studies have shown that echidnas have superb memories
spines on the tongue help to catch the insects, and when and excellent spatial awareness. So it seems to be no fluke
the tongue is retracted, these are caught on backwards- that this ancient line of mammals has managed to survive
facing ‘plates’ that sit on the roof of the mouth.These the pressures of life in the twenty-first century.

Echidnas are solitary – until the breeding season,when females Interested males pick up the scent and a bizarre race begins
leave enticing scent-messages for potential mates. as they track her every move,jostling to get close to her.

After up to four weeks of tireless pursuit, the female digs a To the victor come the spoils of war! Usually the biggest male
safe hidey hole and leaves the frenzied males to fight it out. wins the day and the chance to mate.

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.