long-beaked echidna

The long-beaked echidna is one of four species of echidnas, which are egg-laying mammals native to Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. Echidnas, along with the platypus, belong to the order Monotremata, an ancient group of mammals.

Long-beaked echidnas are found exclusively on New Guinea. They are typically around 60 cm (24 inches) long, though some can reach up to 100 cm (39 inches). Unlike the short-beaked echidna, their spines are shorter and less numerous, with fur ranging from medium to dark brown. They use their beaks to probe the forest floor for food, and their tongues are barbed to help capture earthworms. All three species of long-beaked echidnas are considered threatened due to hunting and habitat loss.1