One of the world's two (along with the platypus) egg-laying mammals, the echidna is a spiny inhabitant of Australia and the subject of this intriguing new book. Little is known about this species. It was not discovered that they laid eggs until 92 years after their first description by Europeans. As insect-eating, burrow-dwelling animals that are well camouflaged and built low to the ground, echidnas are difficult to study in the wild. The author has been conducting field research on these animals for 10 years and may know more about echidnas than anyone. In this book, she distills all that is known about this ancient species into a conversational account for the general reader. Descriptions of her own research give the text a personal touch, and numerous color photographs illustrate all stages of echidna life. The photos of baby echidnas (affectionately known as puggles), especially of one hatching from an egg, are worth the price of the book. Fact-filled end matter round out a very satisfying book on one of our most unusual animals.
Nancy Bent
Synopsis
In addition to belonging to the oldest surviving mammals on the planet (fossils have been found dating back 120 million years!), echidnas are a tenacious and versatile animal about which much is still being discovered. This book tells the story of this intriguing creature, beginning with legends of the Aboriginal people and progressing to the latest biological and scientific research being conducted today. It not only reveals the facts and corrects common myths about echidnas, but also explains why these seemingly contradictory traits exist and how they have served to sustain echidna through millions of years of biological and geological changes. Illustrated with more than 100 outstanding never-before-published photos.