Echidna ( the echidna is a monotreme and with the platypus are the only monotremes in the world)
Information below is from Lynda Stakers book " Don't step backwards" ( with permission )
Australia’s Short Beaked Echidna, inhabits most of Australia, whereas the Long
Beaked Echidna resides in New Guinea. They are solitary, only meeting up to mate.
Echidnas mate between July and August, and within approximately 2-3 weeks after
mating, the female echidna lays one egg, which is deposited directly
into the fold of skin on her abdomen, by curling up her body. The egg hatches
about ten days after being laid.
The newborn echidna is blind, without spines, and is carried in the fold of skin
until it is about 50 days old.
It is fed a low fat milk (hence the Wombaroo (30 formula) which is secreted from
the pores in the ‘pouch’ area. Once the baby is about 50 days old, it is left
in a secure place such as a disused burrow, or hollow. The mother feeds the baby
once every five to ten days, on a milk now rich in fat (hence the Wombaroo 30
formula) The young echidna’s spines are well developed by the time
it leaves the burrow, approximately 6 - 8 months later.
The male actually has a slight fold of skin on it’s abdomen, much the same as
the female, except that this fold on the male is muscle, whereby the fold on the
female’s abdomen is where eventually she will hold the egg. This area also has
the milk producing glands of the female, which swell just prior to the egg hatching.
The spur of the male echidna is different to that of the platypus, in that the
platypus spur is poisonous, and the echidna’s isn’t. (The platypus and
echidna are the only Monotremes in the world.) Echidnas have powerful forepaws,
which are used to break into termite mounds. It’s sticky 18 centimetre long
tongue, draws the termites into it’s mouth, where it grinds them up against the
palate and a horny pad at the base of the tongue. Echidnas don’t have teeth. They
also eat ants, invertebrates, worms, beetles, larvae, and cockroaches.
They can go without eating for many days, as 40% of their body weight is fat.
In cold climates. echidnas have been known to hibernate for up to 6 months, and
the fur situated between the spines can actually cover the spines.
Echidnas can roll themselves into a ball when threatened.
In arid zones, the Echidna seeks shelter during the heat of the day, and forages
in the cool of the night. In temperate areas, it can be seen foraging
during the day.
They are one of the hosts of ticks.
They have a real personality, and when hand reared, show a desire to be around
you, and will follow you as long as you walk slowly!
Information below is from Lynda Stakers book " Don't step backwards" ( with permission )
