Short-beaked Echidna
Tachyglossus aculeatus
Other Names: Spiny Anteater
Family: Tachyglossidae
Size: Head-to-body 23-35 cm. Tail 8 cm.
Weight: 2-7 kg
Distribution: All of Australia.
Status: Common to sparse.
Habitat: Almost all terrestrial (land) habitabs except for intensively managed farmland.
References: Menkhorst and Knight, Wikipedia.
About the Short-beaked Echidna
The 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.
Weight: 2-7 kg
Diet: Ants, termites, other soil invertebrates, particularly beetle larvae.
Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution 1916 x 1277.
Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution 2832 x 1888.
Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution 3524 x 2349.
Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution 3008 x 2000.
Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW.
Photo: Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney NSW. High Resolution 3024 x 2012.
See Also
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
Return to Australian Mammals
