What is a "spiny anteater"

The spiny anteater, also known as the echidna, is a unique mammal found in Australia and New Guinea. It is covered in spines or quills, similar to a porcupine, which provides it with protection against predators. The spiny anteater has a long, slender body and a beak-like snout with a small mouth for feeding on ants and termites. It has no teeth and uses its sticky tongue to capture insects from anthills and termite mounds. The spiny anteater has short legs with strong claws for digging, and it is capable of curling into a ball when threatened, using its spines as defense. It is one of only five extant species of monotremes, which are mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young, and is known for its unique appearance and fascinating evolutionary adaptations.