Are echidnas related to anteaters?

Echidnas are nicknamed “spiny anteaters.” In spite of that, however, they aren't even closely related to true anteaters. The four species of echnidnas belong to a very primitive group of egg-laying mammals called monotremes; the only other monotreme is the platypus. read more

Echidnas are nicknamed “spiny anteaters.” In spite of that, however, they aren’t even closely related to true anteaters. The four species of echnidnas belong to a very primitive group of egg-laying mammals called monotremes; the only other monotreme is the platypus. read more

Echidnas (/ ɪ ˈ k ɪ d n ə /), sometimes known as spiny anteaters, belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals. The four extant species, together with the platypus, are the only surviving members of the order Monotremata and are the only living mammals that lay eggs. read more

Echidna Information: The Spiny Anteater The echidna (ih-kid-nuh) is a native of Australia and New Guinea. With its spiny back and long, pointy snout, one might mistake it for a porcupine or a hedgehog, but in fact it is related to neither. read more