ScienceAugust 15, 2026
echidnas
eh-KID-nuhz
Definition
A type of small, spiny egg-laying mammal native to Australia and New Guinea, also known as a spiny anteater.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'ekhidna,' meaning 'viper,' and named after the Greek mythological monster Echidna, who was half-woman and half-serpent, reflecting the creature's unusual, hybrid-like appearance.
In the news
The article mentions echidnas as one of the few existing mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young, contrasting them with other mammals that evolved the reproductive strategy of viviparity.
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