This document discusses two Australian mammals - the echidna and kangaroo. It provides details on the echidna's physical characteristics such as its spiny coat, tongue adapted for eating ants, and laying eggs. For kangaroos, it notes that they are marsupials that carry young in a pouch and have powerful hind legs adapted for leaping. Both species are endemic to Australia and have physical adaptations that help them survive in their native habitat.

1. DR. SHEEJA V.R
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPT. OF ZOOLOGY
IQBAL COLLEGE PERINGAMMALA
 ECHIDNA
 KANGAROO
MAMMALS

2. MAMMALS

3. Echidna (Tachyglossus)
● Prototherian (Egg laying
mammal)
● Commonly called spiny anteater
● Restricted to Australia &
Tasmania
● Nocturnal and feeds on ants and
termites
● Dorsal side of the body is covered
with strong pointed spines and
hairs. Ventral side-hairs. Spines
are modified hairs

4. Echidna contd…..
● Teeth absent
● Tongue- long , protrusible and sticky. Serrations on the upper
surface of the tongue helps to grind ants
● Saliva-sticky and neutrilizes the formic acid of the ants
● Eyes small and without nictitating membrane
● External ears are absent
● Tail is very short and vestigial
● When threatened tachyglossus can roll up into a ball for self
protection

5. ● The digits of the hind limbs
are turned outwards and
backwards
● Toilet claw-the second digit of
the hind limb bears this
structure which is used to
clean hairs and spines.
● Tarsal spur- present in the
tarsus of the hind limb of the
male. It is an organ of defense
Echidna contd…..

6. Echidna contd…..
● Limbs are short with broad feet
and the five digits are provided
with sharp claws-helps to burrow
and break open the ant hills.
● The female develops a
provisional abdominal pouch and
she lays egg into it for
incubation
● The young hatches out in an
immature condition in the pouch
and is fed with milk from the
mammary glands.

7. KANGAROO
 Metatherians –Marsupials-
abdominal pouch –
marsupium
 Endemic to the country of
Australia.
 National symbol of
Australia.

8. KANGAROO - FEATURES
 Herbivorous and terrestrial in
habitat.
 The head, neck and forelimbs
are small
 The hind part of the body, legs
and tail are large.
 The foot has four toes. Fourth
toe is very large-armed with
claws used in fighting

9. Features contd…..
 Hind limbs are long powerful and used in leaping and
kicking. Kangaroos can move by rapid leaps of over 25
feet.
 The forelimbs have five clawed digits. They are used as
hands ,as support for the body while feeding and for
boxing.
 Tail is large long and thick at the base. It serves a third leg
in locomotion and at rest. It is used as balancer during
leaping.
 On the ventral side of the abdomen a large marsupium
supported by marsupial bones of the pelvic girdle is

10. Features contd…..
 Gestation period is 30-40 days.
 Young ones are born as immature.
After birth new born marsupials
crawl up the body of their mother
and attach themselves to a nipple
which is located inside the
marsupium.
 They are fed with milk from the
mammmary gland. When they are
about 4 months old they crawl out
and lead a free life.