Hobbies And Interests
Eastern Long-Beaked Echidna
Zaglossus bartoni normally live by themselves in the highlands of the Huon Peninsula and Foja Mountains of New Guinea. The eastern species has claws on all five digits of each foot. Long spines alternate with the animal's dark fur. The spines serve as defense when the echidna senses danger and curls itself into a spiky ball. The echidna uses its keen sense of smell to root out earthworms; it grasps the worms with a sticky tongue and then chews its prey with spines anchored to its tongue. During breeding season, females produce a single egg. Upon hatching, the young echidna migrates to its mother's pouch to feed on milk for up to two months.
Although some sources lump all long-beaked echidnas in one species, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources separates them into three distinct long-beaked species. The IUCN has placed the eastern long-beaked echidna on its Red List of Endangered Species as a critically-endangered creature; this puts it one step away from becoming extinct in the wild.
Western Long-Beaked Echidna
Native to New Guinea, the western long-beaked echidna, scientifically named Zaglossus bruijnii, mainly inhabits higher elevations. Covered in rough, dark brown or black fur, the western species has only three toes of each foot equipped with claws, unlike other long-beaked species. Biologists know little about the reproduction and life cycles of the western echidna. Although their diet consists mainly of earthworms, this echidna may also consume termites, ants and larvae when available. The IUCN designates the western long-beaked echidna as critically endangered due to hunting and devastated habitats.
Sir David's Long-Beaked Echidna
Sir David's long-beaked echidna, also called Attenborough's long-beaked echidna, measures about 45 to 100 cm in length and weighs between 5 and 10 kg. The curved beak is long and contains no teeth. The animals have distinguishing soft, brown fur. Each foot contains five claws, one on each digit -- a characteristic that varies between echidna species. Animals become active at night to rummage for worms.
This echidna is the smallest of the long-beaked species and the most endangered, hunted almost to extinction. Individuals only inhabit a single region of the Berg Raga Mountain of Papua New Guinea. Biologists believed the species to be extinct until conservation researchers recently rediscovered specimens in 2007. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources identifies the species as critically endangered.
Short-Nosed Echidna
Tachyglossus aculeatus inhabits more lands than any of the other monotremes. Native to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia, the short-nosed echidna can live in wet or dry habitats, at sea level or at altitudes over 1,000 meters above sea level. Specimens measure about 30 to 40 cm in length with weights of between 2 and 7 kg. The species' shortened snout distinguishes it from other species of echidna. The echidna's diet consists mainly of insects such as termites and ants.
After mating with a single male during the breeding season, the female lays a single egg, which hatches after about 23 days. Unlike her long-beaked relations, the female short-nosed echidna will nurse her young for close to half a year. Each winter, individuals hibernate, thus decreasing their body temperatures 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. The short-nosed echidna, unlike the long-nosed varieties, currently experiences no threats to its survival.
Duck-Billed Platypus
Species belonging to the platypus family, except for the duck-billed platypus, have all disappeared. Inhabiting only certain regions of Australia, the platypus' closest relatives are the echidnas. The platypus possesses brown or black fur. Like the echidnas, platypuses do not have teeth.
The platypus is especially adapted for an aquatic lifestyle: its fur helps the animal to float while its webbed feet and broad, flattened tail propel the animal through water. The animal eats freshwater creatures, such as shrimp and the larvae of insects. During the breeding season, males use the poisonous spurs on their hind legs to establish territories and mating hierarchies. Females lay only two eggs at a time, with the young hatching at an early stage of development, leaving them blind and hairless. Once hunted for its fur, the platypus no longer experiences threats to its survival due to conservation actions by the Australian government.