Echidnas, sometimes also referred to as "spiny anteaters", are the only surviving monotremes apart from the Platypus. The four surviving species, native to New Guinea and Australia, all belong to the Tachyglossidae family. The echidna is named after a monster in ancient Greek mythology.

Taxonomy

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Echidnas are classified into two genera. The Zaglossus genus includes three surviving species and two extinct species known only from fossils; while only one species of the Tachyglossus genus is known.

Zaglossus genus

The three living Zaglossus species are endemic to New Guinea. They are rare, and hunted for food. They forage in leaf litter on the forest floor, eating earthworms and insects.

• The Western Long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus bruijni) of the highland forests.
• Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), recently discovered, and prefers a still higher habitat.
• The Eastern Long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus bartoni), of which 4 distinct subspecies have been identified

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I learned two things..what echidnas and puggles are RT @Noadi: Learned something new, baby echidnas are called puggles http://bit.ly/7G9Fjx
glassidentities (Michelle) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:51:00 -0000
I learned two things..what echidnas and puggles are RT @Noadi: Learned something new, baby echidnas are called puggles http://bit.ly/7G9Fjx
Learned something new, baby echidnas are called puggles http://bit.ly/7G9Fjx
Noadi (Sheryl Westleigh) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:47:49 -0000
Learned something new, baby echidnas are called puggles http://bit.ly/7G9Fjx
Baby echidnas are cute and funny looking.
a20261 (Tom Endicott) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:26:24 -0000
Baby echidnas are cute and funny l Subscribe to Echidnas RSS feed