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short-beak echidna disappears
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
SIZE
Weight: 2-7 kg (4-15lbs) Length: 30-45cm (12-18 inches)
FUR
Spines intermingle with fur. Density of fur varies with habitat - dense in Tasmania and in alpine regions; in dry and northern areas, fur is sparse
SNOUT
covered with tough, hairless skin containing glands and sensory receptors nostrils are at the end of the snout used to crush large prey items so that they will fit into the mouth. Tongue can extend 18cm (7in) beyond the end of the snout; flicks in and out up to 100 times per minute; tip of the tongue can bend into a U shape allowing it access to the narrow galleries of ant and termite nests. Stickiness of the tongue caused by saliva the consistency of treacle.
LIMBS
Front claws are more powerful than the hind ones, used for digging; the hind claws are used in grooming young have nonvenomous spines on the inside of their hind feet; males retain one or both while females may retain one (rare).
All of above text is abstracted from http://www.australianwildlife.com.au/features/echidna.htm (read more there) |
PDP, Callie, Luc has marked this note useful
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