Five Surprising Facts About Echidnas

Echidnas are one of Australia’s most unique and fascinating animals! These spiky little creatures may look unusual, but they have some incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. Here are five surprising facts about echidnas that you might not know.

1. They Lay Eggs but Are Mammals!

Echidnas belong to a rare group of mammals called monotremes, meaning they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. The only other egg-laying mammal is the platypus! After laying a soft-shelled egg, the mother places it in her pouch, where it hatches after about 10 days.

2. Baby Echidnas Are Called Puggles!

When they hatch, they are tiny, blind, and hairless, relying on their mother’s milk. They stay in the pouch until their protective spines start to form, then the mother places them in a burrow while she forages for food.

3. They Have No Teeth!

Unlike most mammals, echidnas don’t have teeth! Instead, they use their long, sticky tongue to catch ants, termites, and other insects. They grind their food against the roof of their mouth using special hard pads, making them expert insect hunters.

4. Their Spikes Are Actually Hairs!

An echidna’s spikes might look like they are made of bone, but they are actually modified hairs made of keratin (the same protein that makes up human hair and nails). These spines provide excellent protection—when threatened, echidnas curl into a tight ball or dig themselves into the ground, leaving only their sharp spines exposed.

5. They Can Sense Electricity!

Echidnas have a special ability to detect electrical signals given off by their prey. Their snouts are covered in tiny electroreceptors, allowing them to find insects underground or inside logs. This makes them highly efficient hunters, even in complete darkness!

Love Learning About Aussie Wildlife?

Echidnas are just one of many incredible Australian animals! If you want more fun facts and engaging activities, check out our Wild About Wildlife Activity Book—packed with puzzles, crosswords, and colouring pages all about Australia’s unique creatures.

Echidna pic by Wirestock on Freepik

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