Echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters, are small mammals native to Australia and New Guinea. They have a distinctive appearance, with a spiny coat of hair and a long, pointed snout. Echidnas have strong forelimbs and claws which they use to dig for food, primarily ants and termites. They are also known for their ability to swim and remain underwater for an extended period. They are monotremes, which means they lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young, and they have a low body temperature compared to other mammals. Echidnas are solitary animals, and are active during the day, and hibernate during the winter. But that’s not the best part about them. The best part is that they blow snot bubbles to cool themselves!
Yes, echidnas blow snot bubbles to cool down. Those bubbles then break over the tip of their snout and as the snot evaporates, it carries away heat, making the snout cooler than other parts of the echidna’s body. When they are not blowing snot bubbles, they use their snout to locate ants and termites, which make up the majority of their diet. The snout is also used for sensing and exploring their environment. Echidnas also have a small mouth and a long, sticky tongue that they use to catch and eat their prey. There, a little bit of unexpected education about echidnas from this site.
If we were hired to write and advertisement for echidnas, it would go something like this: “Sick of ordinary pets? Get a pet with a BLOW-ing personality! Introducing the echidna, the ultimate snot bubble-blowing machine. Impress your friends and family with hours of bubbly entertainment. Echidnas are low-maintenance, apartment-friendly and spiky-cute. Upgrade your pet game and get an echidna today!” Note: Echidnas are wild animals, it is illegal to keep them as pets in most places and it is not recommended to do so as they have specific care requirements and may not do well in captivity.
The bottom line is that being a human is not as fun. Sure, when the echidna does it, it’s cool and cute. When I do it, it’s gross and disgusting. Not fair.
The post Did You Know? Echidnas Blow Snot Bubbles To Cool Down! first appeared on Sad and Useless Humor.Read More
