Eastern Long-Beaked Echidna

By Hannah Lindstrom

Scientific Name: Zaglossus bartoni

Have you ever heard of an echidna before? These interesting creatures could be called Australia and New Guniea’s answer to a porcupine.

These strange little creatures are covered with course hair and spines that protect them from predators who want to eat them. They also have long, skinny snouts with a super long and sticky tongue that they use to eat ants and termites.

Eastern Long-Beaked Echidna. Photo by Rhett A. Butler

Interestingly, echidnas are one of the only two monotremes left. Monotreme is another word for egg-laying mammal. The only other Monotreme left is the platypus. The eastern long-beaked echidna specifically is native to New Guniea.

The eastern long-beaked echidnas are on the brink of extinction due to hunting by the local people for food and habitat destruction. It is very important to protect this extremely unique species.

FAQs

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