Echidna

• 26 Apr 2019

Why is it in News?

Scientists at CSIR-CCMB have isolated protein from Echidna that can serve as an alternative to antibiotics used in livestock.

About Echidnas:

• Echidnas are mammals and are also called spiny anteaters.
• Echidnas are one of the world’s oldest surviving mammals.
• They are egg-laying mammals and are covered with coarse hairs and spines.
• It is listed as ‘Least Concern’ in the IUCN Red List.
• Echidnas are found only in Australia and Papua Guinea.

Habitat of Echidna:

They are found in woodlands, shrubs, debris, canopy of forests etc. as these mammals cannot tolerate high temperature.