How long do they live?
A platypus has a life span of 10-17 years. An echidna can live up to 50 years when held in captivity. In the wild, they have a lifespan of up to 16 years.
What do they eat?
Platypus: A platypus is a carnivore. It uses its bill to catch crayfish, worms, insects, snails,and shrimp from muddy water. It can store food in cheek pouches while hunting underwater.
Echidna: An echidna is an insect-eater. It uses its long, sticky tongue to catch ants, termites, other insects, and earthworms.
Both platypus and echidna use its sensitive snout and to help locate its prey. Because they lack teeth, they use horny pads on their upper and lower jaws to crush their food.
Echidna: An echidna is an insect-eater. It uses its long, sticky tongue to catch ants, termites, other insects, and earthworms.
Both platypus and echidna use its sensitive snout and to help locate its prey. Because they lack teeth, they use horny pads on their upper and lower jaws to crush their food.
Where do they live?
Platypus live in northern Australia and Echidnas live in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. But in the past they were more widespread. Platypus live in burrows and spend a lot of their time in freshwater ponds and streams. Echidnas are solitary animals that are adaptable to many different environments. They can be found where there are ants and termites present.
Animal Examples
The Duck-Billed Platypus, Short-nosed Echidna, and Long-nosed Enchida are the only mammals in the monotreme group. Also called short-beaked and long-beaked echidna.