Echidna species rediscovered
I was a bit confused when I heard the news that an echidna had been discovered and were no longer thought to be extinct. There are a few echidna living in zoos around the world. So I had to do a lot more research into the discovery.
The confusion was cleared up when I found out that there are four species of echidna. The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), the Sir David’s long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), the eastern long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bartoni), and the western long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bruijnii).
Three species are not considered endangered, but the Attenborough's long-beaked echidna were considered extinct as there had not been any sighted since a botanist last collected one in 1961 in the Cyclops Mountains, New Guinea.
Echidnas ranges from 35-52 cm in length. It can weigh up to 6 kg, but the females are usually smaller than the males. Echidnas are covered with a fur that can range from reddish to dark brown colour. They have two inch long spines, which cover their bodies. Only the legs, faces, and underside lack spines. They also have fur between the spines that provide insulation.
The spines on the backs of Echidnas are modified hairs that vary in colour from cream to black. On their belly side, both male and female echidnas have a pouch.
Even though at first thought that their appearance is similar to anteaters, porcupines and hedgehogs, they are not related. The echidna has the most in common with the duck-billed platypus as they are grouped in a n order of mammals known as monotremes, due to the fact they are the only mammals that lay eggs.
Their beak is actually a long nose. They use their strong sense of smell to sniff out prey. They feed primarily on worms, termites, ants, and other insects. Like anteaters, the echidna has no teeth. So, they eat by using their long, sticky tongues that help them to reach the insects.
Echidnas are found throughout Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. . Short-beaked echidnas live in Tasmania and the lowlands of New Guinea and can live in a variety of habitats, including rainforest, grassland, and desert. Long-beaked echidnas live almost exclusively in high-altitude alpine meadows and humid mountain forests in the New Guinea highlands.
The greatest threat to echidnas are hunting and loss of habitat.
A female echidna lays a single egg in her pouch, which hatches in about 10 days. At birth, the baby, called a puggle, weighs only 0.02 ounces and is less than half an inch long.
The puggle stays in the pouch for another 4 to 5 weeks. During this time, the puggle does not have spines. When the puggle’s spines begin to break through its skin, the mother moves it into a burrow. She returns to feed it every few days until it is big enough to go out on its own at about 7 months old.
Echidnas lifespan is unknown but they have lived up to 50 years in captivity. They are naturally solitary animals and evidently excellent at hide and seek BOL!
