The plural form of echidna, referring to multiple spiny anteaters from Australia and New Guinea.
From Latin 'echidna,' derived from Greek 'echidna' (ἐχίδνα) meaning 'viper' or 'adder.' Ancient Greeks used this word for snakes, but European naturalists applied it to these egg-laying mammals because of their spiny appearance.
It's wild that echidnas are one of only five monotreme species (egg-laying mammals) on Earth, and they're basically living fossils that have changed very little in 100 million years!
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