Long-beaked echidna facts for kids
The long-beaked echidnas are a special group of animals. They are one of two types of echidnas, which are spiny mammals found in New Guinea. What makes echidnas super unique? They are one of only two kinds of mammals in the world that lay eggs!
There are three types of long-beaked echidnas alive today. Sadly, two other types are now extinct.
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About Long-Beaked Echidnas
Long-beaked echidnas are bigger than their cousins, the short-beaked echidnas. They have fewer, shorter spines mixed in with their coarse hair. Their snout, which is like a long nose, is about two-thirds the length of their head and curves a little downwards.
These echidnas have five toes on both their front and back feet. However, only the three middle toes on their back legs have claws. Male echidnas also have a small spur on each of their back legs.
Long-beaked echidnas are mostly active at night. They search for food on the forest floor, especially earthworms. They live in dens or burrows. Sadly, the number of echidnas in New Guinea is going down. This is because forests are being cleared, and too many are being hunted. They really need our help to be protected.
How Long-Beaked Echidnas Move
Long-beaked echidnas stand a bit like lizards. However, the way they move their legs is very different. When an echidna walks, its legs swing out at a 45-degree angle. A lizard's legs move more horizontally, or sideways. Also, echidnas often move both legs on one side of their body at the same time.
Types of Long-Beaked Echidnas
There are several types of long-beaked echidnas, including those alive today and those that are now extinct.
Sir David's Long-Beaked Echidna
- Habitat: High mountain areas in New Guinea.
- Status: This species is endangered. It might even be gone from some areas.
- Notes: This echidna was first described from only one sample.
Eastern Long-Beaked Echidna
- Habitat: Found in the central mountains of New Guinea, between the Paniai Lakes and the Nanneau Range, and also on the Huon Peninsula.
- Status: This species is also endangered.
Western Long-Beaked Echidna
- Habitat: Lives in the highland forests of New Guinea.
- Status: This species is also endangered.
Hackett's Long-Beaked Echidna
- Habitat: Once lived in Western Australia.
- Era: Lived during the Upper Pleistocene period, which was a long time ago.
- Notes: We only know about this species from a few bones. It was huge for an echidna, about a metre (3 feet) long!
Robust Long-Beaked Echidna
- Habitat: Once lived in Tasmania.
- Era: Lived during the Pleistocene period.
- Notes: This species is known from a fossil skull that was about 65 centimetres (25 inches) long.
See also
In Spanish: Equidnas de hocico largo para niños
External Links
- EDGE of Existence (Zaglossus spp.) - Learn about saving the world's most unique and endangered species.
- Long-beaked echidna from ARKive
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