ECHIDNA
The
short-beaked echidna is the smaller of the species, and individuals vary in
colour depending on their location. In the northern, hotter regions, echidnas
are light brown, but they become darker with thicker hair further south. In
Tasmania, they are black. All echidnas have sharp spines covering the back of
their short, stocky bodies.
The
short-beaked echidna's snout is between 7 and 8cm long, and is stiffened to
enable the animal to break up logs and termite mounds when searching for food.
An echidna's mouth is on the underside of its snout, at the end. This allows
the animal to feed easily - especially when suckling. Adult echidnas vary in
size, from 35 to 53cm. Males weigh about 6 kilograms, while females weigh about
4.5 kilograms.
The
short, stout limbs of an echidna are well-suited for scratching and digging in
the soil. The front feet have five flattened claws which are used to dig forest
litter, burrow, and tear open logs and termite mounds. The hind feet point
backwards, and help to push soil away when the animal is burrowing. Two of the
claws on each back foot are used for grooming. An echidna's tail is short,
stubby and hairless underneath.
Echidnas
are found throughout New Guinea and mainland Australia, as well as Tasmania, King
Island, Flinders Island and Kangaroo Island.
The
nostrils at the tip of the beak help the echidna sniff out its next meal.
The rubbery snout is also sensitive to electrical signals from an insect’s
body. It is strong enough to break open hollow logs and plow up the forest
floor in search of insects.
Question:
- Where do they live?
- What do they eat?
- What do they look like?
- The short-beaked echidna's snout is?
- How many claws in the front feet of an echidna?
Komentar
Posting Komentar