The Echidna

Any of the spine covered, insectivorous, monotreme mammals with claws and a slender snout; occuring in 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. The spiny ant eater. [NL, from Greek: viper]

extract from the MACQUARIE DICTIONARY

Tachyglossus

Zaglossus

• The Echidna is one of only two species in a very exclusive group of mammals called Monotremes, the other being the Platypus. Monotreme [Greek mono-, single or one; + trema, hole]: basically, the urinary, digestive and reproductive organs have a common opening.
  
• After a two to four week gestation period, the female lies on it's back and gives birth to a leathery egg (rarely are two eggs produced), transfers it to a pouch (not much more than a fold of skin on it's underside) which hatches after about ten days.

• The baby, having teeth it later loses, licks milk that is exuded from "patches" on the skin inside the pouch.

• The coat is made up of coarse hair and spines, which are modified hairs, with a compostion like that of your finger nails or rhino horn, which it uses as a defence when it is threatened.
  
• Echidnas grow up to 50cm (20") in length and live for a long time (over forty years for some living in captivity).
  
• They forage in forests and woodlands, but can also be found in the desert and the mountains of Australia
  

• Their tongue is very long and sticky and is perfect for catching the hundreds of termites and ants that make up their staple diet.

• Echidnas are unusual among austrlian mammals, because you may see them during the daytime. Their pattern of activity appears to be influenced by the temperature, and they may be active by day or by night. Even though they are rarely seen during winter, you might get a glimpse.
• Man is the only natural predator of these mammals, though they are increasingly falling prey to feral cats and dogs