Australia | 1985 | 5 Cents | Echidnas

 


Echidnas




Echidnas are egg-laying mammals (monotremes) of the family Tachyglossidae, comprising four living species found in Australia and New Guinea. Along with the platypus, they are the only extant mammals that lay eggs. They eat ants and termites but are unrelated to true anteaters. Evolving 20–50 million years ago from an aquatic, platypus-like ancestor, echidnas are now fully terrestrial. Their name comes from a mythological creature combining traits of mammals and reptiles.


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