Echidnas
,also known as spiny anteaters,are four extant mammal species belonging
to the Tachyglossidae family of the monotremes, an order of egg laying
mammals. Together with the Platypus, they are the only surviving
members of that order comprising the only extant mammals that lay
eggs.Although their diet consists largely of ants and termites, they
are only distantly related to the true anteaters of the Americas. They
live in New Guinea and Australia. The echidnas are named after a
monster in ancient Greek mythology.
