Echidna: Extraordinary Egg-Laying Mammal
[Australian Natural History Series]
by Michael Augee, Brett Gooden, Anne Musser
Pub. Date: January 2006
Publisher: --
Pages: 136pp
Sales Rank: 653,817
Series: Australian Natural History Series
ISBN-13: 9780643092044
ISBN: 0643092048
Description
The echidna is one of the world's most extraordinary creatures. It is a living fossil whose relatives were walking the earth over 100 million years ago. Like the platypus, it is a mammal that lays eggs. And, like all mammals, it has fur and produces milk.
This book describes the echidna's lifestyle and the adaptations that have made it so successful. It draws on the latest research into these strange creatures, covering their evolution, anatomy, senses, reproduction, behaviour, feeding habits and metabolism. The authors reveal some fascinating new findings, showing how echidnas are masters of their environment, and not simply some sort of mammal 'test model' that went wrong. A final chapter on conservation includes information on captive diet and management.
Bookmarks