e·chid·na ( i-k id n ə)
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n.Any of several nocturnal burrowing egg-laying mammals of the genera Tachyglossus and Zaglossus of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, having a spiny coat, a slender snout, and an extensible sticky tongue used for catching insects.Also called spiny anteater.
[Latin, adder, viper, fromGreekekhidna, fromekhis.]  (click for a larger image) echidnashort-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus |
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