Short-beaked echidna

Scientific Classification

 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Chordata
 * Class: Mammalia
 * Order: Monotrematae
 * Family: Tachyglossidae
 * Genus: Tachyglossus
 * Species: T. aculeatus
 * Binomial Name: Tachyglossus aculeatus

Description
Short-beaked echidnas are typically 12-18 inches in length and their tail is around 3/8 of an inch long. They weigh around 5.5-15 pounds. Short-beaked echidnas have spines that have shorter hair between them. These echidnas also have no neck, their head is attached to their shoulders.

Habitat
Short-beaked echidnas are typically found in temperate forests, deserts, grasslands, and savannas. They are found in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea.

Behavior
Short-beaked echidnas are active during the day and night. However, echidnas may become less active in unusually hot or cold temperatures for them.

Diet
Short-beaked echidnas perfer to feed on ants, grubs, worms, and termites which they find with their keen sense of smell. Echidnas may also sense electric signals using sensors that are on their long snout.