Echidna
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ID#29
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The echidna has short, stubby legs that are directed outward and
backward. Small ears are tucked away under a sharp mass of spines that the echidna uses to protect its self. It uses its powerful claws to dig holes into the ground and to open termite mounds or large anthills. When it catches its prey, it licks it up with its long, sticky tongue. Echidnas have an appearance that is much like a porcupine or hedgehogs, but it is not related to them. It is only found in Australia and parts of New Guinea. The echidna grows to a length of 31 inches from its head to its short tail, and it weighs about 15 lbs. Echidnas are very shy creatures that prefer to be alone, but have a very successful defense mechanism. At the approach of a predator, the echidna digs into the soil with powerful claws and waits. If the predator strikes the Echidna’s sharp spines prick him. If the soil is too thick or hard to dig into, then the echidna will promptly curl into a ball presenting the attacker with a mouthful of spines. The echidna is private and prefers to live on its own after it has grown into adulthood (how old does it become an adult?). The echidna’s diet consists of ants, earthworms, maggots, and their favorite, termites. The Echidna’s life can span up to 20 years of age. Echidnas breed mostly in July but some have been tracked in August. Once breed, the female echidna will become pregnant for six to eight weeks. The female can then lay up to six eggs (when did you say that it lays eggs) that in time, will hatch into young echidnas that, at birth will tart developing fur and spines. The echidna likes the cold. In fact if the echidnas body temperature is raised above ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit (thirty-four degrees Celsius) the Echidna can suffer death. This is a cause for the echidnas natural environments such as forests, alpine meadows, and rocky areas in which the echidna will hide in cracks in rocks or even go for a swim if needed. |