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Like a hedgehog an Echidna can curl up into a tight spiky ball. Due to the presence of their spines, echidnas simply do not have many predators. Even young echidnas develop spines by the time they are about 3 months old. Echidnas have strong front legs and sharp claws that enable them to dig quickly into the ground to avoid danger. They "flatten out" as they dig, appearing to sink horizontally into the ground, thus ensuring their sharp spines are exposed through the process.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoEchidnas are covered with sharp spikes. This is their primary method of defence.
Due to the presence of their spines, echidnas simply do not have many predators. Even young echidnas develop spines by the time they are about 3 months old.
Echidnas have strong front legs and sharp claws that enable them to dig quickly into the ground to avoid danger. They "flatten out" as they dig, appearing to sink horizontally into the ground, thus ensuring their sharp spines are exposed through the process.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe echidna has a number of protective adaptations which help it to survive:
- The echidna has sharp claws for digging, and this ability to dig effectively is helped by its compact, muscular body shape and strong forelegs. When threatened, they can dig very, very quickly into the earth, disappearing horizontally, leaving only their quills exposed while they burrow.
- Echidnas burrow as a protective defence, leaving only the spines exposed to the potential predator.
- Echidnas are able to tolerate high levels of carbon dioxide, a necessity for an animal which burrows for protection (and sometimes for food). Because of this, they can also tolerate lower oxygen levels, and this is useful when bushfires occur.
- When flash floods occur, echidnas can dive underwater, and as they do so, their heart rate drops, which saves oxygen needed by the brain and the heart.
- A long tongue with sticky saliva, with which it eats termites and ants.
- A long snout which makes it easy for the echidna to burrow for ants, termites and worms.
- During breeding season, the female echidna develops a pouch, where she lays and incubates her egg. Although the pouch is little more than a fold of skin, it protects the egg from would-be predators such as goannas.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe echidna uses its long, sticky tongue to catch the termites on which it feeds.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoEchidnas protect themselves by turning into a spiky ball.
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What The main similarity between echidnas and porcupines?
They are both mammals and have a spiked covering to protect themselves.
Do echidnas live by themselves?
Yes. Echidnas are solitary animals.
What are people doing to protect echidnas from habitat loss?
People are not doing anything beyond normal legislative protection to protect echidnas from habitat loss. Echidnas are classified as Common in Australia, as they have adapted to all habitats, while the long-beaked echidna of New Guinea is under more threat of being hunted by indigenous tribes than of habitat loss.
How octopus protect themselves?
They protect themselves by squirting ink.
How do there proctect themselves?
Citizens protect themselves with police departments. Nations protect themselves with a military.
How do stingrays protect themselves?
they use their sting tail to protect themselves
How do lionfish protect themselves with their dorsal spines?
how do lionfish protect themselves
How do scorpians protect themselves?
Scorpions protect themselves by having a hard exoskeleton that serves as a physical barrier against predators. They also have venomous stingers that they use for defense when threatened. Additionally, scorpions are nocturnal animals, which helps them avoid many predators that are active during the day.
Are lepercons evil?
no, they protect themselves XD I have to laugh at that, but it is true they protect themselves.
How do barnacles protect themselves?
Barnacles protect themselves by sticking to something sturdy.
What do orchids do to protect themselves from being eaten?
dont think they can protect themselves
How do rhinos mostly protect themselves?
They protect themselves with their horns, made with really strong bones , and thick skin used as a shield to protect themselves.
