echidna

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References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

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short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

western long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bruijni)

For Students

short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

echidna summary

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echidna: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Echidna mothers change their pouch microbiome to protect tiny ‘pink jelly bean’ puggles, new research finds • May 16, 2025, 5:37 AM ET (The Guardian)

Scientists Reveal a Surprising New Theory on Where Echidnas Came From • May 6, 2025, 7:37 AM ET (ScienceAlert)

Fossil clue suggests echidna ancestors lived in water like platypus • Apr. 29, 2025, 3:34 AM ET (ABC News (Australia))

Facts

Also Known As	spiny anteater • Tachyglossidae

Photos

short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

western long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bruijni)

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Topics

long-beaked echidna Megalibgwilia short-beaked echidna Sir David’s long-beaked echidna eastern long-beaked echidna western long-beaked echidna monotreme platypus oviparity

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