ECHIDNA, t•-kid'iol (Lat., Gk. gxiiiya, viper, from Errs, cells, Skt. ahi, Av. azhi, serpent). A genus and family ( Echidniffir) of monot•eme mammals, the spiny or porcupine ant-eaters of the Australian region, closely allied to the duckbill. The ordinary echidna is from 12 to IS inches long, and has a broad, depressed body, mounted upon very short, strong legs terminating in big, powerful claws suited to digging into hard ground.
The head is small, and the nose prolonged into a slender shout; the mouth is without teeth, but the palate is studded with recurved spines, and the tongue is slender. extensile. and glutinous. The back of the animal is covered with ,tiff, hedgehog-like spines, mixed with long. coarse hairs: and when danger threaten, it outside its burrow, it curls up much like a hedgehog, so as to protect the under parts. xvhicli have no spines, but are clothed in silky brown hair. The males have spurs on their heels. like the duckbill (q.v.), but have never been seen to use them. It dwells in burrows of its own digging, and ob tains its food by excavating in the hillocks of ints, which it tears open in order to devour the sueculent lame. Like other monotreines. the echidna lay but less is known as to their breeding than in the ease of the duckbill. They
are gentle in disposition. endure eonfinement well eat in bread and milk, chopped eggs. etc., and arc frequently kept as intelligent and play ful pets, exhibiting a good deal of activity and agility. They are inelined to nocturnal habits, and in times of drought become dormant in their burrows.
The common echidna (Echidna aculental seems to be very variable in size, color, and length of spines, and some naturalkts have separated the large Tasmanian form as Echidna setosa, and the small New Guinea form as Echidna Laiessii, but their specific value is doubtful. In New Guinea there also occurs a closely related Proi'ehidna (or Bruijm, which is somewhat larger. has only three claws on each foot, and its snout and tongue are greatly prolonged. The Papuans call them nod inks, and hunt them for food in the Arfak Alountains by the aid of dogs which know how to dislodge them from their burrows. Consult: Bennett, Gathe• ings of a A of uralist in Australia (London, 18001: Saville-Kent. The Anturalist in Austra lia (London, 1897). Sec IONOTRENIE.