The short beaked echidna is a small, spiny mammal found in Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea. It has short brown or black fur, spines, a long snout, and a short tail. Echidnas live in forests, deserts and fields, eating ants and termites. They have a 4 month gestation period and the baby echidna stays in its mother's pouch for 2-3 months before moving to a burrow. Predators of the echidna include dingoes, dogs, goannas, foxes, cats and Tasmanian devils. Humans impact echidnas through vehicle collisions and dog attacks.
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