Endangered Species Project Long-Beaked Echidna (Zaglossus bruijni) Tim Parker
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordate Class: Mammalia Order: Monotremata Family: Tachyglossidae Genus species: Zaglossus bruijni
Physical Description Weight: 5 to 16 kg.Weight: 5 to 16 kg. Length: mm.Length: mm. Hair: Black, yellow and brown.Hair: Black, yellow and brown. QuillsQuills
Physical Description Short tail.Short tail. Long, “tubular” snout.Long, “tubular” snout. No teeth, small spikes on tongue.No teeth, small spikes on tongue. Claws.Claws. animals%20&%20Nature/pages/ECHIDNA.htm
Lives in New Guinea, Australia and Indonesia. brainmuseum.org/Specimens/monotremata/echidna/
Consumes worms / ants. Babies are hunted by foxes/snakes. Adults are hunted by wild cats and dogs. Evolution: Egg-laying mammal.
Food Nocturnal forager. Earthworms, termites, larvae and ants.
Shelter It shelters in hollow logs, cavities. under roots or rocks, and burrows.
Reproduction Female emits a scent. (July) It’s a monotreme. 4-6 pups in 40 days. Females mate every 3 to 7 years.
Endangerment Loss of natural forest habitat due to farming. Hunted with trained dogs.
How can the echidna be conserved? Prohibit hunting. Establish wildlife reserves for them.
Comprehension Questions: What are some physical traits of the echidna? Why is it endangered? How can it be saved?
Sources Cited Australia Broadcasting Online “Echidna Love Trains”, pictures of animal. Clip Clubhouse Updates From Down Under animals%20&%20Nature/pages/ECHIDNA.htm Picture of the animal 1st HAMLYN HEIGHTS JOEY SCOUT MOB Cartoon of echidna. Comparative Mammalian Brain Collection Species map image. World Wildlife Picture of rain forest. Monotreme.comwww.monotreme.com/ Illustration of echidna. National Geographic Photo of New Guinea jungle. The Eric H. Echidna Memorial Home Page Cartoon of echidna.
Goodbye!