Echidna

Australia · egg-laying mammals · spiky · ants

Eggs instead of babies. Echidnas are one of only two kinds of mammals alive today that lay eggs, just like birds and reptiles do. The other egg-laying mammal is the platypus.

Covered in spines. Their bodies are completely covered in sharp spines and quills that stick straight out, which keeps predators away. These spines are made from keratin, the same stuff as your fingernails.

Tongue like a straw. Echidnas have a super long, sticky tongue that can be almost as long as their whole body. They poke it into ant and termite mounds to catch thousands of insects in one meal.

Baby called a puggle. When an echidna egg hatches, the tiny baby is called a puggle. The mother carries the puggle in her pouch until it gets too big and prickly.

Slow but steady. Echidnas waddle around slowly on short legs and spend most of their time hunting for food or napping. They can live for over 50 years in the wild, which is really long for such a small animal.