Giant duck-billed echidna (SciiFii)

The giant duck-billed echidna (Titanechinus platyrhynchus) is a species of giant spiny monotreme, most closely related to the short-beaked echidna, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across Australia to help boost biodiversity. The giant duck-billed echidna is the largest known species of monotreme, growing to be comparable to a small car and rivaling the giant wombat in size. Unlike other echinda species, the giant duck-billed echidna is an herbivorous species that uses its toothless flat bill to pick up large amounts of grass, which are then broken by its hard palate and processed through its long intestine, which is unique among monotremes. Its differences from its small insectivorous relatives was created to mirror the small armadillo-glyptodont evolution. Like other echidnas, the giant duck-billed echidna uses its spines all over its body for defense against a wide array of predators. As such, it doesn't rely on living in large herds and is solitary throughout its life outside of breeding season. Unlike other monotremes and due to its large size preventing it from laying over its eggs, it has developed a form of pouch in the center of its chest to carry its eggs and young until they're fully developed, mirroring marsupial pouches. The conservation status of the giant duck-billed echidna is Near Threatened due to habitat loss and, historically, invasive species, hower, thanks to the conservationists, the giant duck-billed echidna is a protected species and is making a comeback.
Category:Animals