Short-beaked echidna

Irena Saratchilova SHORT – BEAKED ECHIDNA TACHYGLOSSUS ACULEATUS Mammalia, Monotremata, Tachyglossidae , Tachyglossus aculeatus Introduction Echidnas, or spiny anteaters as they are sometimes known, are familiar to most Australians. Echidnas are monotremes (mammals that lay eggs). There are only three species of monotreme in the world – the platypus and two species of echidna, one of which is restricted to the New Guinea highlands. They have many features which are reptilian in nature such as egg laying, legs …

…now wholly protects them. Bibliography Green, R. H. (1993). The Fauna of Tasmania -- Mammals. Potoroo Publishing, Launceston. Sharland, M. (1962). Tasmanian Wildlife -- A popular account of the furred land mammals, snakes and introduced mammals of Tasmania. Melbourne University Press. Strahan, R. (ed). (1995). The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books, NSW. Taylor, J. M. (1984). The Oxford Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Watts, D. (1993). Tasmanian Mammals -- A field guide. Peregrine Press, Tasmania.