Diet:
* Ants and termites: Echidnas are insectivores, specializing in ants and termites. Their long, sticky tongues can extend up to 18cm, allowing them to lick up insects from their nests.
* Worms and other invertebrates: They also consume earthworms, beetles, and other invertebrates they encounter.
* Rarely, small mammals: In rare cases, they may consume small mammals like mice.
Foraging:
* Keen sense of smell: Echidnas use their powerful sense of smell to locate ant and termite nests.
* Strong claws: Their strong claws are used for digging, ripping open nests, and uncovering insects.
* Sticky saliva: They have sticky saliva that helps trap insects on their tongue.
Defense:
* Spiky coat: Echidnas are covered in sharp spines, serving as their primary defense mechanism.
* Rolling up: When threatened, they can curl into a ball, protecting their vulnerable underside with their spines.
* Powerful digging: They can quickly burrow into the ground to escape danger.
Reproduction:
* Lay eggs: Echidnas are one of only five mammals that lay eggs.
* Pouch: The female has a pouch where she carries her single egg until it hatches.
* Milk: After hatching, the baby echidna, called a puggle, feeds on milk produced by the mother's mammary glands.
Adaptability:
* Diverse habitats: Echidnas are found across a wide range of habitats, from forests and grasslands to deserts and mountains.
* Low metabolism: They have a low metabolism, allowing them to survive on a diet of low-energy insects.
* Water conservation: They have a tough, leathery skin that helps them conserve water in arid environments.
Overall, echidnas are well-adapted for survival thanks to their specialized diet, effective defense mechanisms, unique reproductive strategies, and ability to thrive in diverse environments.