0
The echidna found in New Guinea is a different species to that found in Australia. The theory goes that Australia, New Guinea, the islands of Oceania, South America, Africa and Antarctica were all once part of a supercontinent known as Gondwana. With continental drift, the continents and islands separated, this isolating certain animal types to selected parts of the world - this is one of the reasons why the majority of marsupials are found in Australia. Being close together, New Guinea and Australia would have been one of the last to separate. The long-beaked echidna of New Guinea would have adapted to the high terrain and humid conditions of the island, while the short-beaked echidna of Australia developed ina way that enabled it to live virtually anywhere on the flatter, drier, continent.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoEchidnas are found throughout most of Australia, and are highly adaptable to a wide range of environments, which has been one of the reasons why they are not threatened by habitat loss. They live anywhere from bushland and woodlands, rocky areas as long as the soil is loose enough to dig, snowy mountains, sandy plains, heath, grasslands, semi-arid environments and deserts. Echidnas can be found wherever there are termites and ants.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Are there echidnas in Bali?
There are no echidnas in Bali. Echidnas are found only in Australia and on the island of New Guinea.
Do echidnas live in Portugal?
No. Echidnas are found only in Australia and the island of New Guinea.
Do Echidnas live in Brazil?
No, echidnas are found only in Australia and on the island of New Guinea.
Which country are echidnas found in?
Echidnas live in Australia and on the island of New Guinea.There are only two species of echidnas: the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) of Australia, and the long-beaked echidna (Zaglosssus bruijni) of New Guinea.
When did echidnas first appear in Australia?
Echidnas are native to Australia. They have always been in the country.
What kind of mammals can be found in Australia that can not be found in the u.s.?
Mammals like most marsupials (kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats, etc) are found in Australia but not the USA. Monotremes (platypuses and echidnas) are found in Australia but not the USA.
Which state are echidnas found in Australia?
Echidnas are found in all states and territories of Australia. They are found throughout most of Australia, and are highly adaptable to a wide range of environments, which has been one of the reasons why they are not threatened by habitat loss. They live anywhere from bushland and woodlands, rocky areas as long as the soil is loose enough to dig, snowy mountains, sandy plains, heath, grasslands, semi-arid environments and deserts. Echidnas can be found wherever there are termites and ants.
How many long beaked echidnas are left in the world?
It is unknown how many echidnas there are in Australia. The echidna is common throughout Australia because it is very adaptable and can be found in all habitats, from sub-alpine regions to hot, semi-arid and arid desert regions. All it needs to survive is a ready supply of ants and termites to eat.
How can you help echidnas going extinct?
Echidnas are not going extinct, so this is not an issue. They are highly adaptable to a variety of habitats, and as long as there is a ready food source of termites and ants, echidnas can survive in almost any climate found in Australia.
How many Echidnas are left?
It is unknown how many echidnas are left because they are listed as "common" throughout Australia. They can be found in a range of habitats, from sub-alpine forests to semi-arid desert land.
Why do echidnas live only in Australia?
They don't. Both species of echidna are found on the island of New Guinea as well.
What do Australian echidnas eat?
The species of echidna found in Australia is the short-beaked echidna. Echidnas of Australia live almost exclusively on termites, although they also eat ants. Echidnas have large claws for breaking open termite mounds (which, in much of Australia, are made from mud). They have long sticky tongues, about 15cm long, with which they catch the termites. Echidnas also look for termites under old, rotting logs, their preferred locale.
