Short-beaked echidna
Tachyglossus aculeatus
ok. 35 cmAdult male
Body length (excluding tail)
Body length (excluding tail)
od pyska do nasady ogonaMeasurement: side
- Mass
- 2–7 kgZakres gatunku
Short-beaked echidna — size comparison
The short-beaked echidna is a monotreme: an egg-laying mammal. Spines formed from modified hairs protect its back, while a toothless snout and long, sticky tong
Silhouette comparison
Length
od pyska do nasady ogonaReference values · details in the profiles
Body length (excluding tail)Scale in cm
010203040
approx. 35 cm
The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.
Short-beaked echidna — size comparison — facts and sources
The short-beaked echidna is a monotreme: an egg-laying mammal. Spines formed from modified hairs protect its back, while a toothless snout and long, sticky tongue allow it to collect ants and termites. When threatened, it quickly buries its soft underside, leaving an attacker facing a dome of spines.
Its powerful feet also tear open insect nests. Unlike many mammals, the echidna does not maintain a consistently high body temperature, and its activity changes with weather and food availability. It occurs in Australia, Tasmania and southern New Guinea.
During the breeding season, the female develops a skin fold in which she incubates a single egg. After hatching, the young receives milk before it begins finding its own food. The proportion of fur to spines varies between subspecies; Tasmanian individuals can be hairier.
ADW: opisowy zakres 30–40 cm; tabela podaje szersze 30–45 cm. Przyjęta oś pyska–końca tułowia, kolce i kończyny wyłączone. Punkt planszy nie jest średnią populacji, chyba że źródło podaje średnią. Przód jest przybliżoną projekcją.