The echidnas body is built for digging. Unlike other mammals whose nose are supported by cartilage, the echidnas nose is a true beak, or part of the skull. It is used for digging and smelling out food. Strong neck muscles make the beak an effective shovel for digging. They have no teeth and the mouth opens only wide enough for the protruding tongue which licks up the prey.
Echidnas are monotremes, or egg laying mammals.
Only the platypus and echidna are monotremes. Most echidnas lack an outer ear but use fine spines around the ear to protect and direct sound to the ear opening. Their hearing is very good and can detect ground vibrations which assist in finding food. They are intelligent animals with a large developed brain and have been noted for their learning and memory capabilities. They are long-lived, living up to 50 years in the wild.