What did the word 'echidna' come from?

Answer 1

The echidna (Tachyglossus Aculeatus) was named after the Greek monster Echidna, who was half snake (reptile) and half woman (mammal). She was known as the "Mother of all Monsters" as most of the monsters in Greek mythology were said to have mothered by Echidna.

The most obvious reptilian characteristic of the echidna is that it lays eggs. The mammalian characteristics of the echidna is that they are warm-blooded, have fur, produce milk and suckle their young.

For more information on Echidna the monster, see the related link.

As for the echidna's scientific name of Tachyglossus - this means "Fast tongue". The echidna lives primarily on termites and ants, collecting them from nests by flicking its tongue in and out very quickly to capture the insects. The echidna's tongue moves at a speed of around 100 times per minute.

Answer 2

The echidna (Tachyglossus Aculeatus) was named after the Greek monster Echidna, who was half snake (reptile) and half woman (mammal). She was known as the "Mother of all Monsters" as most of the monsters in Greek mythology were said to have mothered by Echidna. The most obvious reptilian characteristic of the echidna is that it lays eggs. The mammalian characteristics of the echidna is that they are warm-blooded, have fur, produce milk and suckle their young.

Answer 3

Echidnas are native to Australia and New Guinea. Thus, the only continent to which they are native is actually Australia. New Guinea is not part of Australia.

The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is native to the continent of Australia, while the island of New Guinea is primarily home to the long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus Bruijni), although the short-beaked echidna is found in the southeast.

Answer 4

They are indigenous to Australia and New Guinea.