The Echidna!

The Echidna belongs to a group called the Monotreme. Only two animals are grouped in this catogory. The Platypus and the Echidna.The Echidna is also called "The Spiny Anteater" and it lives in Australia and New Guinea. This burrowing animal has tough spikes covering the top of it's body. It lives for up to 50 years of age.  When this animal is attacked it will quickly curl up in a ball.  Echidnas lay egg in the pouch of the famale.  The egg has a tough, leathery shell. The egg will hatch in 10 days and the baby is born blind and hairless.   In a couple of weeks the baby grows spines and has to leave the pouch.  The Echidna eats ants, termites, earthworms, and other insects by using it's long, sticky tongue.  The adult Echidna can be up to half a meter in length.