Short-beaked Echidna

The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), is one of four living species of echidna and the only member of the genus Tachyglossus. 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. Like the other extant monotremes, the short-beaked echidna lays eggs; the monotremes are the only group of mammals to do so. Short-beaked echidnas are typically 30 to 45 centimetres (12 to 18 in) in length, have a 75-millimetre (3 in) snout, and weigh between 2 and 5 kilograms.The eyes are small, approximately a 9 mm (0.4 in)-diameter sphere and at the base of the wedge-shaped snout. The nostrils and the mouth are at the distal end of the snout; the mouth of the Short-beaked Echidna cannot open wider than 5 mm (0.2 in).The body of the Short-beaked Echidna is, with the exception of the underside, face and legs, covered with cream-coloured spines. The spines, which may be up to 50 mm (2 in) long, are modified hairs, mostly made of keratin.