Description:

The giant echidna (Titanaglossus mymecophilius) is a massive monotreme species native to Australia. These mammals evolved from the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), one of the most widespread native mammals on the Australian continent. Due to their adaptability, they were among Australia's native mammals that survived the Holocene-Anthropocene extinction event. They took a majority of insectivorous niches in Australia and quickly diversified after the extinction event. This echidna species is the largest monotreme that is known to exist. This animal is 1.5 meters long with a 30-centimeter snout and weighs 60 kilograms. They are generally dark brown with a white underbelly. These mammals also lost their spines because their large size gives them more protection against predators. They also have massive claws, which are mainly for ripping into termite mounds and ant nests. These 5-centimeter-long claws can also be used to defend against predators. These monotremes have a long sticky tongue that allow them to lap up insects. They can live for up to 20 years in the wild, but can live to 60 to 70 years in captivity. 

Distribution:

These mammals inhabit the open woodland, open plains, and woody savanna of Australia. They tend to live in areas that are high in termite mounds and ant hills.

Diet and Feeding:

These animals primarily eat ants, termites, and other burrowing insects. They find these insects by smell and the vibrations that they produce. Due to their ears being sensitive to low-frequency noises, these monotremes use their hearing to easily find insects buried underneath the soil. The echidnas use their claws to tear into rotten logs, termite mounds, ant hills, and hard soil. They will then catch these insects with their long, sticky tongue. They usually spend about a minute at each spot before moving on. Due to their large size and small prey, they must consume a minimum of 20,000 insects to stay alive, but will eat more to satisfy their hunger.

General Behavior:

These animals are generally active during the day but will awake at dawn or dusk during the warmer months. Some individuals and populations are nocturnal, but it depends on the weather and climate of the region. They spend most of the day walking around and looking for ants. They generally stay under the shade of trees during the hottest parts of the day. When the sun sets, they will prefer more open areas. They don't have specific territories and tend to wander around through their habitats. Being solitary, they often don't see other echidnas for months, but they often abstain from fighting other echidnas for territory and other resources. These animals also use their strong sense of smell to detect the scent of predators. When an echidna does see a predator, it will bluff charge and snort at the threat. If the predator does not leave, they will use their massive claws to slash at the predator.

Reproduction:

Given that this species is solitary, mating is often difficult for both parties. Mating occurs year-round for this reason. These female echidnas rub against trees to get their scent on them. When a male sniffs this scent, he will follow it until he finds the female. When a male sniffs the female's scent, his testes increase spermatogenesis by up to 3 times the normal amount. Once the male and female meet, they will rub noses together. This behavior allows for both males and females to decide whether the other is a suitable partner for them. Once this ritual occurs, they will begin to mate. After about 5 months, the female will give birth to a single tiny joey. This joey will stay in the pouch until it is able to see and walk. The baby will then emerge and follow the mother until it reaches sexual maturity.