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Short-beaked echidna

Tachyglossus aculeatus

Photo by lori.tas
Published on Project Noah
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-41.6539, 145.964

Field Notes

Description:

Along with the platypus, echidnas are monotremes. Both lay eggs and express milk for their young. They are considered the most primitive of the mammals.

Habitat:

Ubiquitous in Australia.

Notes:

Cradle Mountain National Park, Tasmania.

Reference Links:

Short-beaked Echidna

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
lori.tas
And just to make monotremes even more "out there", platypus males have long spikes on the inside of their back legs which can deliver a very painful venom - and that makes them the only venomous mammal.
peter
Monotremes, fascinating. I just learned something new.
Photographed
PublishedMarch 22, 2011

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