With its unique blend of features, the echidna stands out as nature’s peculiar wonder. From its hedgehog-like spines to platypus-like beaks, it’s one of the most quirky animals in the world. Let’s dive into some weird facts about the species, you’ll never fail to be amazed.
Class: Mammalia
Order: Monotremata
Family: Tachyglossidae
1. They’ve existed for a very long time
The echidna showed up for a really long time, between 20 and 50 million years ago. They are thought to have evolved from a land-dwelling insect-eating animal similar to the platypus. Over time, the ancient lineage that includes echidnas and platypuses has greatly declined. Now, there are only 5 species left: 4 species of echidnas (3 with long beaks and 1 with a short beak) and a single species of platypus.
The origin of the name “echidna” can be traced back to Greek mythology, specifically to the legendary character called “Echidna,” who was widely known as the “Mother of Monsters.” This mythological being was depicted as a hybrid creature, part woman and part snake. She was the partner of the formidable creature Typhon and gave birth to numerous renowned monsters of Greek mythology. The animals are named after this figure because they have both mammal and reptile characteristics.
Certain scholars suggest that the mythical creature got its name from the Ancient Greek word ἐχῖνος, which can be translated as “sea urchin” or “hedgehog.”
2. Their ‘Beaks’ Are Actually Noses
The adult echidna is a medium-sized animal, having a size of about 14 – 30 inches in length and weighing about 5.5 – 22 pounds. There are four distinct species of echidna: Sir David’s long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), the eastern long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bartoni), and the western long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bruijnii).
Among these 4 types of echidnas, the western long-beaked species is the largest while the Sir David’s long-beaked species is the smallest of all. The creatures possess a minuscule face and petite eyes accompanied by a beak, or as it is commonly referred to. Nevertheless, this beak is, in fact, a robust and flexible snout. The length of the snout is varied, based on the species.
This snout is used for multiple purposes. They employ it to crack open hollow logs and excavate the earth in search of subterranean insects. The elongated snout also empowers them to navigate narrow crevices, thereby detecting vibrations emitted by potential prey.
Typically, echidnas exhibit black or brown color with 2-inch beige-and-black spines as their common appearance. However, there have been numerous sightings of albino echidnas characterized by pink eyes and white spines. Among each species, there are some slight differences. Short-beaked echidnas feature dark fur, which is predominantly hidden beneath a layer of hollow and barbless quills (or spines), on their back and sides. On the other hand, long-nosed species have lesser fur, enabling their spines to be more prominently displayed.
One peculiar trait exhibited by these species is the presence of pouches on the bellies of both male and female echidnas. This distinguishes them from kangaroos, quolls, and koalas, where pouches are exclusively found in females.
Although echidnas look like porcupines, anteaters, and hedgehogs, they are not relatives. Instead, they are more related to the platypus, as mentioned earlier.
3. Habitat
Echidnas can be found in various regions, including Tasmania, Australia, and New Guinea. Short-beaked species are well-suited to the diverse environments of Tasmania and the lowlands of New Guinea. They can live in different habitats like deserts, grasslands, and rainforests. In contrast, long-beaked species are predominantly located in the New Guinea highlands, specifically in high-altitude alpine meadows and humid mountain forests.
4. They don’t have teeth
The echidna is also known as the spiny anteater. As the name suggests, the animals eat ants. However, they also include other species in their diet, such as termites, moth larvae, beetles, and earthworms.
In order to obtain food, they use different strategies, including delving into burrows, and tunnels, or using their snout to dismantle logs and termite mounds. These remarkable creatures depend on their highly developed sense of smell to detect their prey. Then they use their elongated and adhesive tongue, capable of extending up to an impressive 6 inches (15 cm), to swiftly capture their prey.
Echidnas lack teeth, so they rely on their tongue to consume food. When the prey gets caught, these spiny anteaters their tongue and the base of their mouth to grind it and then swallow.
Predators such as feral cats, foxes, domestic dogs, goannas, and snakes pose a threat to the echidna, particularly the young puggles, as snakes can infiltrate their burrows and prey on them.
5. Their Spines are their protection
These Australian animals have developed diverse defense mechanisms to protect themselves. They utilize three main strategies: fleeing, curling up into a ball, or seeking refuge in burrows.
The spines of echidnas serve as their main defense mechanism when confronted by predators. In response to a threat, the creatures instinctively curl up into a ball, causing their spines to protrude outward and create a protective shield. However, these quills are not venomous or poisonous.
Although their spines are not dangerous, they still can hurt you. With sharp tips, the quills can cause a prickling sensation upon contact with the skin. In more severe cases, the spines may even penetrate the skin, resulting in bleeding.
Additionally, these spines also help them to blend into their surroundings, especially in environments with dense vegetation.
Surprisingly, these spines are not true spikes. Instead, they are long, durable, hollow hair follicles. Made of keratin and capable of reaching a length of up to 2 inches with pointed tips, these quills lack barbs and bear a closer resemblance to hair than spikes.
The echidnas can move each of their spines independently. The muscles located at the base of each spine allow them to do that. This comes in handy when the animals need to snugly fit into narrow crevices or to correct their position if it happens to roll onto their back unintentionally.
Digging ability is also an effective defense mechanism, thanks to their elongated, rear-facing claws. Due to this ability, these Australian species can rapidly find shelter in shallow burrows, leaving only their faces and feet visible while concealing their vulnerable rears. This poses a significant challenge for predators such as Tasmanian devils, foxes, and goannas, who are often reluctant to engage with their spines.
6. They’re professional diggers and swimmers
Echidnas are generally solitary animals, but they come together during the mating season. Their activity patterns are influenced by factors such as food availability and seasonal variations. Normally, they are active throughout the day. However, when the climate is warmer, they will become nocturnal and most active at night.
Although terrestrial, these species sometimes engage in aquatic behaviors. They actively search for water sources to groom and bathe. On land, they’re quite slow, with a top speed of merely 2.3 kph, often opting for a more leisurely stroll at 1 kph.
These species have the lowest body temperature in the animal kingdom, about 89 degrees F (32 degrees C). However, this temperature can vary considerably by about 10 to 15 degrees F over a day.
These animals are remarkable diggers. They dedicate a significant amount of their time to digging and shifting soil, with each echidna averaging an impressive 200 cubic meters of soil moved per year! Their diligent excavation work improves soil mixing, enhances water penetration, and reduces run-off and erosion. As a result, healthier soils are created, fostering optimal conditions for plant growth. This is why echidnas are known as “ecosystem engineers.”
They are also excellent swimmers. These terrestrial animals have been observed displaying a surprising ability to swim effortlessly in streams and bodies of water. Their swimming behavior is thought to serve various purposes, including leisurely activities, seeking respite from hot weather, and engaging in grooming routines.
Despite lacking exceptional vision, they make up for it with their sharp sense of hearing and smell.
What sets echidnas apart is their remarkable electroreception sense. Researchers have found that they possess the ability to detect electric fields, making them the sole known mammals with this exceptional capability.
7. They’re not venomous
Unlike the platypus, the male echidna is not venomous although it has spurs on its hind legs. Nevertheless, traces of venom genes were found in these animals, although they were expressed at low levels. This implies that their secretions may have possessed toxic properties and were likely used for defense purposes millions of years ago. However, over time, the venom present in the spur secretion has gradually diminished.
So, what is it for? This is more like a scent gland rather than a venom gland. These glands serve the purpose of marking territory and facilitating communication during the breeding season.
Not only do the males have spurs, but the females also own them on their legs. However, females use their spurs for different purposes. They are believed to secrete a creamy substance from their spurs that lures potential partners.
8. Echidna vs porcupine vs hedgehog
| Echidna | Porcupine | Hedgehog | |
| Color | – Brown or black – Spikes are black and beige | – Dark color – Spikes have yellow tips | – A dark color on the back and cream color on the face and belly. – Spikes’ coloration is a mixture between cream and brown. |
| Snout | Elongated | Non-protruding | Cone shape |
| Size: | – Body: 18 – 30 inches – Tai: 3 – 4 inches – Weight: lighter than that of porcupines | – Body: 20 – 36 inches – Tai: 8 – 10 inches – Weight: heaviest | – Body: 4 – 12 inches – Tai: 2 – 3 inches – Weight: lightest |
| Quills | – Number: Unknown | – 30,000 quills – length: 2 – 3 inches | – 5000 quills – Length: 1 inch |
| Behavior | – Diurnal and nocturnal – Dig into the ground | – Nocturnal – Sleeping in trees | – Nocturnal – Build nests |
| Location | – Bew Guinea and Australia – Mountains and high forests | – Asia, African, South America, and Europe – Mountains, deserts, forests | – Asia, Africa, Eurasia – Damp and moist environments |
| Conservation status | Endangered (long-beaked species) | Least concern | Not Extinct |
| Keep as pets | Prohibited | Possible | Ideal |
| Lifespan | 15 – 40 years | 5 – 20 years | 3 – 10 years |
9. Reproduction
During the mating season from mid-May to early September, males exhibit a distinct behavior. They create an “echidna mating train” led by a female, with up to ten males following closely behind. The smaller males often stay at the end of the “train.” They faithfully trail the female for extended distances, waiting for the opportune moment to mate.
When the female is ready, she assumes a prone position. The dominant male who wins over other competitors will encircle her by digging a circular trench. He then proceeds to excavate the soil beneath the female’s tail, positioning himself on his side, and intertwining his tail with hers, thus facilitating the mating process.
One of the special things about the male echidna is its 4-distinct-head reproductive organ. When mating, two of these heads undergo temporary inactivity, while the remaining two heads enlarge to accommodate the female’s two-branched reproductive tract. What’s more interesting is that the male can choose which heads he will use with which partner. This strategy enhances their prospects of achieving successful fertilization.
After mating, these mammals, like their closest relative, the duck-billed platypus, lay eggs. Once a year, the female lays a solitary egg, which is roughly the size of a dime. This egg is delicately transferred to a specialized pouch resembling that of a kangaroo. After a 10-day incubation period, the tiny egg hatches, having a size of less than half an inch in length and weighing a mere 0.02 ounces.
The baby is called puggleThe newborn echidna, referred to as a puggle, spends approximately two months inside its mother’s pouch, receiving nourishment from specialized milk patches. After this time, they leave the pouch, coinciding with the growth of their distinct spines.
The juveniles take refuge in burrows and are nurtured by their mothers, who nurse them every 5 to 7 days. This feeding routine continues until they reach approximately 7 months old Then they start venturing out to establish their own lives.
Due to the lower body temperatures and sluggish metabolism, echidnas have exceptionally long lifespans. When kept in captivity, they can thrive for approximately 30 to 50 years. However, in their natural habitat, their lifespan is relatively shorter, typically around 15 years.
10. They Are Critically Endangered
The conservation status of the echidnas is different between species. All three long-beaked species are currently confronting a critical level of endangerment primarily caused by habitat loss and hunting. Due to the expanding human populations and activities, their natural habitats are undergoing significant transformations. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there has been an alarming 80% decrease in their population over the past 50 years.
Their vulnerability is worsened by the hazards of motor vehicle collisions. Moreover, the presence of feral dogs and foxes in the area presents substantial threats to these animals.
Conversely, the short-beaked echidna, being more prevalent, is classified as a species of Least Concern and is legally protected in Australia.
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