Why are long beak echidnas endangered?

Answer 1

No. The short-beaked echidna of Australia is highly adaptable to a variety of conditions, so it is one of the Australian native animals which has been least affected by European settlement and the associated problems of habitat loss (unlike the long-beaked echidna of New Guinea). The echidna is currently listed as "common" throughout Australia and its conservation status is not listed as endangered.

It is a remarkably adaptable creature which can live wherever there are termites or ants.

The echidna is less affected by habitat loss than many other species, as it does not need a specialised environment, just a good supply of ants and termites. There are areas of Australia where echidnas were once common, but have not been sighted in years. The biggest threats are dogs and cars. However, the echidna still enjoys a healthy population in many less urbanised areas.

Natural predators to the echidna are dingoes, and goannas and snakes may prey on young echidnas, sometimes taking them from their burrows.

Answer 2

The short-beaked echidna is an egg-laying mammal, or monotreme. It is found in Australia, and in the southeast of New Guinea. It eats ants and termites with its long, sticky tongue. The echidna lays eggs, making it a monotreme, but it is also a mammal, as the young suckle mother's milk.

During breeding season, the female echidna develops a pouch, where she lays and incubates her egg. The pouch is little more than a fold of skin, and even the male can develop a pouch.

Male echidnas have a spur on their hind leg, much the same as a platypus, but unlike the platypus's spur, the echidna's is not poisonous. Echidnas have short legs and strong claws for burrowing. They are very adaptable, living in a wide variety of climates and environments, from sub-alpine regions to rainforests to arid semi-desert - wherever there are termites and ants.