1. A burrowing monotreme mammal covered with spines and having a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites; native to New Guinea
   "We spotted a rare New Guinea echidna during our hike";
   - spiny anteater, anteater
    
2. A burrowing monotreme mammal covered with spines and having a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites; native to Australia
   "The echidna used its long tongue to catch ants";
   - spiny anteater, anteater

Derived forms: echidnae, echidnas

Type of: egg-laying mammal, monotreme

Part of: genus Tachyglossus, genus Zaglossus, Tachyglossus, Zaglossus

Encyclopedia: Echidna