Quick facts about echidnas
Where they live: Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea
How long they live: 30 to 40 years in the wild, and up to 50 years in captivity
How long their tongues are: 7 inches (17 centimeters)
Echidnas, also called spiny anteaters, are some of the weirdest mammals in the world. They're among the only mammals that don't give birth to live babies, and they also carry their young in a pouch. Echidnas can grow up to 20 inches (52 centimeters) in length, weigh up to 13 pounds (6 kilograms) and have long snouts, tongues and claws. There are four species of echidna that are alive today — one species of short-beaked echidna and three species of long-beaked echidnas. Read on to learn more fun facts about these strange, spiky animals.
