It’s a mammal that lays eggs. It cannot sweat. It hibernates when it doesn’t need to. It has spines but it is not a hedgehog. Its eyes are more like those of birds and reptiles. Its stomach is not like those of other mammals. It is also called a spiny anteater, although it is not a true anteater and it prefers to eat termites…
To add to the confusion, Paignton Zoo has included the echidna in its Easter egg trail – although it makes more sense than that fraudulent fur-ball, the non-egg-laying Easter bunny…
The Zoo’s Marvellous Easter trail runs over the Easter weekend and is all about baby mammals. This particular mammal lives in Australia and New Guinea. The only mammals that lay eggs are the platypus and four species of echidnas.
The short-beaked echidna has a spiny body, a slender snout and a long sticky tongue. It is an excellent digger and eats termites, ants and other small invertebrates. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring 01803 697500.
