Tachyglossus aculeatus (Shaw, 1792) is a monotreme commonly called the short-beaked echidna. Although considered Australia's most common native mammal because of its continent-wide distribution, its population numbers everywhere are low. It is easily distinguished from all other native Australian mammals because of its spine-covered body, hairless beak, and unique “rolling” gait. The five subspecies, one of which is found in Papua New Guinea, show variations in fur density, spine diameter, length, and number of grooming claws. The Kangaroo Island short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus multiaculeatus is listed as “Endangered” but all other Tachyglossus are listed as “Least Concern” in the 2016 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List.
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3 October 2019
Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae)
Peggy D. Rismiller,
Frank Grutzner
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Mammalian Species
Vol. 51 • No. 980
October 2019
Vol. 51 • No. 980
October 2019
Australia
echidna
egg-laying mammal
monotreme
Papua New Guinea
short-beaked echidna