Monotreme – Short-beaked Echidna

Alice Springs Desert Park

ASDP MammalsDingo Ghost Bat Spinifex Hopping Mouse

The Echidna belongs to a group of mammals called Monotremes, of which there are only two, the other being the Platypus.

There are two species of echidnas, one of which is restricted to the New Guinea highlands. The Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), or spiny ant eaters, are found throughout Australia.

The echidna is on display in the Nocturnal House and visitors also have the chance to see the echidna on the Nocturnal Tour.

Check out our Fauna section for more information about the Short-beaked Echidna.

Images © Ausemade PL

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• Scientific classification
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Subphylum: Vertebrata
• Informal: Gnathostomata
• Class: Mammalia
• Subclass: Prototheria
• Order: Monotremata
• Family: Tachyglossidae
• Genus: Tachyglossus
• Species: Tachyglossus aculeatus
• Subspecies:
  • Tachyglossus aculeatus acanthion (Collett, 1884)
  • Tachyglossus aculeatus aculeatus (Shaw, 1792)
  • Tachyglossus aculeatus multiaculeatus (Rothschild, 1905)
  • Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus (Geoffroy, 1803)

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