Echidnas , sometimes known as
spiny anteaters, belong to the
family Tachyglossidae in the
monotreme order of
egg-laying
mammals. The four
extant species, together with the
platypus, are the only surviving members of the Monotremata
order and are the only living mammals that lay eggs. Their diet consists of ants and termites, but they are not closely related to the
true anteaters of the
Americas. Echidnas live in
Australia and
New Guinea.