Where they’re found: West Papau, Papau, Indonesia. Scientific classification; Kingdom: Animalia: Phylum: Chordata: Class: Mammalia: Order: Monotremata: Family: Tachyglossidae: Genus: Zaglossus: Species: Z. bartoni. They’re made for digging. Adults can weigh up to 5-7 kilograms . Author of scientific publications on monotremes. The species needs to be conserved for scientific and ethical reasons, and its distinctive genome should make it a top international conservation priority. Size range: 40-55 cm. The echidna spurs are vestigial and have no known function, while the platypus spurs contain venom. They are somewhat similar in appearance to other spiny mammals such as … Short-beaked echidna Scientific name: Tachyglossus aculeatus multiaculeatus Tachyglossus = swift tongue aculeatus = with points multiaculeatus = with many points The Kangaroo Island short-beaked echidna EPBC listing: Endangered The echidna is a small stocky animal covered by sharp spines on its back and sides. Echidna - Description What Do Echidnas Look Like? Echidna – Scientific name: Tachyglossus aculeatus. Weight 2-7 kg. The animal slurps up prey with a long sticky tongue that darts in and out of its beak. Country: Australia and Southern New Guinea. Both sexes of echidna have a pouch so it is difficult to tell them apart externally. Western long-beaked echidna. GENERAL. Alternative Title: spiny anteater. Identification: The Short-beaked Echidna is easily recognised by its sharp spines, short legs and long snout. Found throughout Australia and New Guinea, the short-beaked echidna, along with the platypus, are the only 2 egg-laying mammals (‘monotremes’) in the world. A few weeks after mating, the female echidna digs a burrow and lays one soft, leathery egg into a temporary ‘pouch’, which she makes by a folding a section of her lower abdomen skin. See Article History. The only other living monotreme is the platypus.. The name Echidna is pronounced ih-KID-na. NT Conservation Status. Description; Signs; Habitat; Ecology; Distribution; Threats; Conservation; More information; Description . Scientific Name: Tachyglossus aculeatus. Scientific Name: Tachyglossus aculeatus. The scientific name of the long-beaked echidna of Papua New Guinea is Zaglossus bruijni. Western Long-beaked Echidna profile . Weight: 12 pounds. Interestingly enough, he adds, the taxonomic family name for echidnas, Tachyglossidae, means "fast tongue." Like the other echidna species, the Western Long-beaked echidna has a stout body with a mixture of fur and specialized hairs that form spines, however, the spikes blend in with the fur. After digging into a nest with their forepaws, they extend their long sticky tongue into the chambers of the nest; the insects are drawn to the sticky saliva. Scientific name Tachyglossus aculeatus. Include Gift Card with personal message. In Greek mythology, Echidna was a half-woman, half-snake creature perceived to have qualities of both mammals and reptiles. … Scientific name: Zaglossus bruijni. Aussies may refer to echidnas casually as "porkies," but their spines have little in common with a porcupine's quills. The Short-beaked Echidna is the only species of echidna in Australia. Short-beaked Echidna. Similar Species: Long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus bruijni), is from New Guinea . The feet are dark and have a set of powerful black claws. Echidna spines lack barbs and are never thrown from the body. Scientific classification; Kingdom: Animalia: Phylum: Chordata: Class: Mammalia: Order: Monotremata: Family: Tachyglossidae: Genus: Tachyglossus Illiger, 1811: Species: T. aculeatus. Habitat: Woodland, savanna and semi-arid and arid areas, and rainforest. Name: Echidna; Scientific name: Tachyglossidae; Diet: Insectivore; Threatened: Least concern; Photo: Shutterstock. It has a bare, tube-like snout and a long, sticky tongue. Find out more. The Echidna is toothless. Echidnas are usually black or dark brown in colour. The only other species of spiny anteater is the long-beaked echidna, found in the highlands of New Guinea. Photo Taken At Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, California, USA. Order Monotremata; Family Tachyglossidae; Scientific name: Tachyglossus aculeatus; Subspecies acanthion; Common name: Short-beaked Echidna… View Details » No Price Available. [37] Molecular data show that the main component of platypus venom emerged before the divergence of platypus and echidnas, suggesting that the most recent common ancestor of these taxa was also possibly a venomous monotreme. scientific name. Kangaroo Island short-beaked echidna. And to top it off they are members of a pretty exclusive club called monotremes. In fact, the echidna’s scientific name, Tachyglossus actually means ‘fast tongue’ – quite fitting! Birds in Backyards: top 30 urban birds. 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