Short-nosed echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). The two species of echidna,along with the platypus,make up a unique group of animals called monotremes. The monotremes are egg-laying mammals that possess a single cloaca (external body opening) that is the end-point for the digestive,reproductive and urinary tracts. The echidna is covered in spines for defence and it rolls into a ball if threatened. It uses its powerful claws to dig for food such as ants and other invertebrates. The short-nosed echidnas does not have teeth. Instead it has a long sticky,spiny tongue. Photographed in the Dryandra Reserve in West Australia | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Flecther & Baylis |
Taille de l’image : | 3828 px × 2532 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : |
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