General Information
The long-beaked echidna is larger than the short-beaked and has fewer, shorter spines scattered among its coarse hairs. The snout is two-thirds of the head length and curves slightly downward. There are five digits on both hind and forefeet, but on the former, only the three middle toes are equipped with claws. Males have a spur on each of the hind legs. This echidna is primarily a nocturnal animal that forages for its insect food on the forest floor. The breeding female has a temporary abdominal brood patch, in which her egg is incubated and in which the newborn young remains in safety, feeding and developing. Little is known about the life of this rarely seen animal, but it is believed to have similar habits to those of the short-beaked echidna. There were once thought to be 3 species in this genus, but now all are believed to be races of this one species. The population of echidnas in New Guinea is declining because of forest clearing and overhunting, and the animal is much in need of protection.
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