Katolog > Science > Biology > Flora and Fauna > Animalia > Chordata > Mammalia > Monotremata > Echnidnas

The Tachyglossidae are the echnidnas, or spiny ant eaters. These are a group of spine covered, insectivorous, monotreme mammals with claws and a slender snout. There are two genera: the curved-beaked echidna (Zaglossus or Proechidna) of New Guinea and the smaller, straight beaked echidna (Tachyglossus), represented by several species throughout Australia and southern New Guinea.

Links:

Short-beaked Echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus Photo and brief description. Includes the animal's name in three Australian Aboriginal languages spoken in central Cape York Peninsula, Queensland: Oykangand, Olkola and Pakanh. www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/2970/echidna.htm

Rainforest Echidna Description and photos of Tachyglossus aculeatus, courtesy of Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge, Atherton Tableland, Far North Queensland. www.rainforest-australia.com/echidna.htm

Long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus bruijni) Brief summary of facts about this endangered echidna from New Guinea. www.panda.org/../publications/species/underthreat/page11.htm

The Echidna Brief description, with drawings and photos, of these spine covered, insectivorous, monotreme mammals occurring in two genera: Zaglossus or Proechidna of New Guinea and Tachyglossus of Australia and southern New Guinea. www.healthsci.utas.edu.au/../research/mono/Echidna-basic.html

Echidna Central Annotated links to sites about the echidna of Australia and New Guinea. www.isidore-of-seville.com/echidnas