Short-beaked Echidna

Short-beaked Echidnas have sharp creamy coloured spines, short legs and a long snout. They are known as monotremes - mammals that lay eggs.

Short-beaked Echidnas are found in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Echidnas live on average around 10 years.

From 30 - 45 cm in length.

Echidnas eat ants, termites, grubs, larvae and worms.

Echidnas occupy a range of habitats, from snowy alpine to semi-arid areas, including meadows, heathlands, forests, woodlands and desert.

Echidnas are one of two mammals (other than the platypus) that lay eggs and do not give birth to live young. Breeding season is around mid-late winter.