The dorsal surface of the body and the tail is covered with spines. Fur is usually present between the spines. Have a long tubular snout. The echidna has no particular habitat requirements Shelter is found beneath thick bushes in hollow logs, under debris or in burrows. The echidna is a toothless animal, it invades an ant or termite nest with its forepaws or snout and extends its long tongue into the chambers.
Insects stick to the stick saliva of the tongue and are drawn into the mouth.
The insects are chewed between a horny pad at the back of the tongue and a similar pad on the palate. Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge Lake Eacham, Atherton Tableland Tropical North Queensland, Australia. All content, layout and design in this website are protected by copyright 1998 John Chambers.