482 
THE STORY OF THE ECHIDNA. 
attains a length of about fourteen inches, its distinctive feature being the 
shortness of the spines on the back. 
The variety from the Australian mainland is larger, and the spines are of 
great length. Larger than either is the Tasmanian variety, in which the 
length may be nineteen inches, the very short spines on the back being 
partially or completely hidden by the fur, the dark brown hue of which is 
frequently relieved by a white spot on the chest, while the beak is unusually 
short. 
The three-toed echidna of northwestern New Guinea is larger than 
any of these. Usually it has but three claws to each foot, but there is con¬ 
siderable variation in this respect, one specimen having five claws on the 
front, and four on the hind feet. The beak is bent downwards, and attains a 
length equal to about double that of the rest of the head. The short spines 
are generally white, and the color of the fur is dark brown or black, although 
the head may be almost white. 
Echidnas are mainly nightly animals frequenting rocky districts, and sub¬ 
sisting almost exclusively on ants. They are generally found in the moun¬ 
tains, and the three-toed species has been taken at an elevation of between 
three and four thousand feet. 
Although it is definitely ascertained tnat they lay eggs, much less is 
known of their breeding habits than is the case with the duckbill. Accord¬ 
ing, however, to native reports, the young, which are probably two in 
number, are born during the Australian winter, generally in the month of 
May. 
