The Echidna: Spiky Mammal with a 4-Headed Penis

The Echidna: Spiky Mammal with a 4-Headed Penis

The Truth About Echidnas You May Not Know

Australia’s Egg-Laying, Ant-Slurping, Evolutionary Marvel

Habitat

Native to Australia and New Guinea.

Found in forests, deserts, and even snowy mountains.

Masters of digging, they use their strong claws to burrow and

forage.

What Is a Monotreme?

One of only two egg-laying mammals (the other is the platypus).

Lays a soft-shelled egg which is then incubated in a pouch!

Babies are called puggles, blind, hairless, and incredibly tiny.

Appearance

Covered in sharp spines (like a porcupine) and coarse hair.

Long, sticky tongue (up to 18 cm!) to slurp ants and termites.

Has no teeth, food is crushed against the roof of the mouth.

Behavior

Solitary and shy, echidnas are mostly nocturnal.

Excellent diggers and climbers.

In danger, they curl into a spiky ball or dig straight down, vanishing into the earth.

Diet

Specializes in ant and termite hunting.

Uses electroreceptors in its snout to detect prey underground, a rare mammalian trait.

And Now... About That Penis

The echidna has the weirdest penis in the mammal world: It has four heads (yes, four!). During mating, only two are used at a time, alternating between sessions.

Scientists believe this may help stimulate the female’s complex reproductive tract.

Conservation

Not endangered, but threatened by: Habitat destruction, Road mortality.

Predation by dogs and cats

Did You Know?

Despite their slow movement, echidnas can live up to 50 years! Their body temperature is among the lowest of all mammals, perfect for extreme conditions. Their prehistoric look isn’t a coincidence, echidnas have walked the Earth for over 20 million years.

See more here: https://ifeg.info/.../the-echidna-spiky-mammal-with-a-4.../

Meanwhile, Did you know that? 

The first Filipino saint was San Lorenzo Ruiz, a layman from Binondo, Manila. A member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, he fled the Philippines after being falsely accused of a crime and joined missionaries bound for Japan.

There, during the Christian persecutions of the 1630s, he was captured and tortured but refused to renounce his faith, declaring that he would die “a thousand times” for Christ. He was executed in Nagasaki in 1637 and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1987, becoming the first Filipino saint and martyr, a symbol of unwavering courage and faith.

Lastly, here are photos of the Freedom Park of Torrijos, Marinduque, Philippines

The Freedom Park of Torrijos (formerly Luneta Park) is a scenic retreat located near the seashore, inviting visitors with its tranquil atmosphere and the gentle embrace of cool, fresh southern breezes. Recognizing its potential as a major tourist destination, the area has been thoughtfully developed and landscaped, now proudly standing as the largest park in the Province of Marinduque. It serves as a vibrant esplanade, a perfect place to unwind after a day’s work.

On the left, the park offers a view of the renowned Torrijos White Beach, while to the right looms the majestic Mt. Malindig, the highest peak in Marinduque, providing a breathtaking natural backdrop. The expansive grounds offer a refreshing environment, ideal for relaxation at any time of day. Palm trees create natural canopies over tables and benches, all set upon a lush carpet of Bermuda grass. Complementing the park is a well-maintained seawall that invites visitors to partake in various water activities.