echidna

American  

[ih-kid-nuh] / ɪˈkɪd nə /

noun

1. Also called spiny anteater.  any of several insectivorous monotremes of the genera Tachyglossus, of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, and Zaglossus, of New Guinea, that have claws and a slender snout and are covered with coarse hair and long spines.

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echidna British  

/ ɪˈkɪdnə /

noun

1. Also called: spiny anteater.  any of the spine-covered monotreme mammals of the genera Tachyglossus of Australia and Zaglossus of New Guinea: family Tachyglossidae. They have a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites

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Etymology

Origin of echidna

< New Latin (1798), originally a genus name; Latin: serpent, Echidna a mythical creature which gave birth to the Hydra and other monsters < Greek échidna, akin to échis viper

Example Sentences

But several media outlets had already shared the video - as well as earlier posts, said to be taken in Australia, which show her holding an echidna and a "little shark".

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2025

Officially named Opalios splendens, the new species has been nicknamed for its resemblance to the platypus and echidna - which are the only egg-laying mammals in the world today.

From BBC • May 27, 2024

Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna, named for British naturalist and documentarian David Attenborough, was discovered in 1961.

From Washington Times • Nov. 10, 2023

The team hope that its rediscovery will help bring attention to the conservation needs of the Cyclops, and Indonesian New Guinea more generally, and they are committed to supporting long-term monitoring of the echidna.

From Science Daily • Nov. 9, 2023

Where better for an echidna than in the bath?

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith