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What the sources say

Short-Beaked EchidnaTachyglossus aculeatus

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Short-Beaked Echidna profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 62 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Tachyglossus aculeatus (short-beaked echidna). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysfrom sea level to at least 1,675 metres
The source saysShort-beaked echidnas have a broad altitudinal range from sea level to at least 1,675 meters.
The page saysin mainland Australia, Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, and southern and eastern New Guinea
The source saysSubspecies of T. aculeatus are distributed throughout southern and eastern New Guinea, mainland Australia, Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania.
The page saysAnts, termites and other invertebrates
The source saysAdult short-beaked echidnas eat ants, termites, and other invertebrates.
The page saysMothers have no nipples or teats. After a pregnancy of about 23 days, a female lays a single soft-shelled egg in her pouch, and it hatches 10 or 11 days later.
The source saysGestation in Tachyglossus aculeatus lasts about 23 days, after which the female will lay a single soft-shelled egg in her pouch for incubation. Eggs hatch 10 or 11 days later. ... Mothers do not have nipples or teatsNote: FAQ answer; SDZ (family-wide) agrees: 'Gestation: 3 to 4 weeks', hatches 'Ten days later'
The page saysInstead of a nipple, the young feed through pores connected to the mother's paired mammary glands.
The source saysMothers do not have nipples or teats, but nurse young through pores connected to their paired mammary glands.Note: FAQ answer
The page saysShort-beaked echidnas measure 30 to 45 centimetres and weigh 2 to 7 kilograms.
The source saysRange mass 2 to 7 kg ... Range length 30 to 45 cm
The page saysThey dig into ant and termite nests with their front paws, poke a long, sticky tongue into the gaps, and grind the insects
The source saysShort-beaked echidnas dig into ant and termite nests with their front paws and poke their long, sticky tongue into nest crevices and grinds insects with its tooth pads.
The page sayson hard pads at the back of the mouth
The source saysTachyglossus aculeatus lacks external pinnae and teeth but does have hard pads in the back of the mouth.
The page saysIt lives in mainland Australia, Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, and southern and eastern New Guinea.
The source saysSubspecies of T. aculeatus are distributed throughout southern and eastern New Guinea, mainland Australia, Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania.
The page saysFeral cats, pigs, dingoes and goannas occasionally prey on echidnas, mostly the young and half-grown.
The source saysPredation is not a major threat to short-beaked echidnas, even though feral cats, pigs, dingoes, and goannas are occasional predators. Animal predators are mostly a threat to young in burrows and to subadults.Note: 'half-grown' for 'subadults'.
The page saysAn adult escapes by hiding under rocks or logs, or by digging down until only its spiny back shows. It can also curl up to protect its underside.
The source saysAdults escape predation by hiding beneath rocks or logs, or digging into the ground until only the spiny back is exposed. Short-beaked echidnas can also curl up to protect their undersides.
The page saysAfter a pregnancy of about 23 days, a female short-beaked echidna lays a single soft-shelled egg in her pouch.
The source saysGestation in Tachyglossus aculeatus lasts about 23 days, after which the female will lay a single soft-shelled egg in her pouch for incubation.Note: SDZ (family-wide) agrees: 'Gestation: 3 to 4 weeks', hatches 'Ten days later'
The page saysIt hatches 10 or 11 days later
The source saysEggs hatch 10 or 11 days later.Note: SDZ (family-wide) agrees: hatches 'Ten days later'
The page saysMothers have no nipples or teats. The young feed through pores connected to the mother's paired mammary glands.
The source saysMothers do not have nipples or teats, but nurse young through pores connected to their paired mammary glands.
The page saysA female may be followed by one or several males. Several males trailing one female is called an "echidna train." She mates with only one male per season.
The source saysFemales may be pursued by one or several males during this period. Observations of multiple males following individual females have led to the term “echidna train.” Females will mate with only one male per season.
The page saysdigs into ant and termite nests
The source saysdig into ant and termite nests
The page saysdangerLevel: Low
The source saysMales have non-venomous spurs on the ankles of their hind legs
The page saysa mammal that escapes danger by digging into the ground until only its spiny back shows
The source saysAdults escape predation by hiding beneath rocks or logs, or digging into the ground until only the spiny back is exposed.
The page saysweightKg: 4.5
The source saysRange mass 2 to 7 kgNote: Midpoint of ADW's range; ADW gives no average. Every value in the range is Light (under 10 kg), where the name guess put the echidna at Medium.

Source
02

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Echidna. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

The page saysCars kill hundreds of echidnas on Australia's roads every year.
The source saysCars also kill hundreds of these animals each year on the roadways of Australia.Note: family page, worded for echidnas generally; only the short-beaked echidna lives in Australia
The page saysa baby echidna is called a puggle
The source saysthe baby echidna, called a puggle, hatchesNote: family page, worded for echidnas generally

Source
03

Aplin et al. 2016

Aplin et al. (2016). Tachyglossus aculeatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41312A21964662.

The page saysLeast Concern
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).

Source
04

Zhou et al. 2021

Zhou et al. (2021). Platypus and echidna genomes reveal mammalian biology and evolution. Nature.

The page saysThe spiny, egg-laying mammal
The source saysEgg-laying mammals (monotremes) are the only extant mammalian outgroup to theriansNote: 'spiny' is covered by the body's spiny-back claim (ADW).
The page saysplus 693 scent-receptor genes to the platypus's 299, which may help it search for the odours of underground prey
The source saysthe number of olfactory receptors (OR genes) in platypus (299) is much smaller than in echidna (693) ... The difference in the large olfactory bulb and OR repertoire in echidna may contribute to the ability to search for odours of underground prey
The page saysA 2021 genome study describes echidnas as led by smell.
The source saysPlatypuses and echidnas feature radical differences in diet (carnivorous compared with insectivorous), neurophysiology (electroreception-oriented compared with olfaction-oriented)Note: '2021' is the paper's publication year
The page saysAn echidna's main olfactory bulb, the brain's smell centre, is much bigger than a platypus's, and its genome carries 693 smell receptor genes to the platypus's 299.
The source saysthe size of the main olfactory bulb of the platypus is much smaller than that of the echidna ... the number of olfactory receptors (OR genes) in platypus (299) is much smaller than in echidna (693)Note: reversed comparison; the gloss of 'olfactory bulb' is a definition
The page saysThe authors suggest this may help it search for the odours of underground prey.
The source saysThe difference in the large olfactory bulb and OR repertoire in echidna may contribute to the ability to search for odours of underground prey
The page saysThey have no teeth.
The source saysboth extant monotremes lack teeth
The page saysEchidnas and the platypus are the only two living lineages of monotremes, the egg-laying mammals.
The source saysEgg-laying mammals (monotremes) ... reference genomes of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), which represent the only two extant monotreme lineages

Source
05

Nowack, Cooper & Geiser 2016

Nowack, Cooper & Geiser (2016). Cool echidnas survive the fire. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

The page saysAlmost anywhere from deserts to wet forests to alpine regions
The source saysoccurs almost anywhere from deserts to wet forests to alpine regions
The page saysA 2016 study suggests torpor helps. Torpor is a controlled drop in energy use and body temperature.
The source saysOur data suggest that heterothermy enables mammals to outlast the conditions during and after a fire by reducing energy expenditure ... the ability to enter torpor, a substantial controlled reduction of energy expenditure and body temperatureNote: FAQ answer; '2016' is the paper's publication year
The page saysResearchers tracked ten short-beaked echidnas through a planned burn in Western Australia.
The source saysOn 21 April 2015 a prescribed burn was conducted at Dryandra Woodland, southeast of Perth, Western Australia ... We studied ten echidnas for 21 to 25 days before the fireNote: FAQ answer
The page saysFour of the five at the fire site survived; the one that died was resting inside a log that caught fire.
The source saysFour of five echidnas at the fire site survived the burn. ... The individual that died during the burn was resting inside a log that caught fireNote: FAQ answer
The page saysWhen not in torpor, echidnas typically keep a body temperature of 28 to 35 degrees Celsius
The source saysNormothermic echidnas typically have a T b between 28 and 35°CNote: FAQ answer; 'normothermic' (normal body temperature) glossed as not in torpor
The page saysthe lowest recorded in the study was 11.6 degrees Celsius
The source saysEchidnas entered short bouts of torpor almost every day during our study, with a minimum T b of 11.6°CNote: FAQ answer; 'almost' in the quote modifies 'every day', not the minimum
The page saysFor weeks after the fire, the fire-affected echidnas stayed in their home areas and lowered their body temperature and activity.
The source saysFor weeks after the fire, all individuals remained in their original territories and compensated for changes in their habitat with a decrease in mean body temperature and activity.Note: FAQ answer
The page saysA 2016 study gives their life expectancy as up to 45 years, and says this is generally put down to a low metabolism and torpor, a controlled drop in energy use and body temperature.
The source saysthe long life expectancy (up to 45y) of this species [19] are generally attributed to their low metabolic 3 rate and ability to use torpor
The page saysThe species has one of the widest ranges of any native Australian mammal, turning up almost anywhere from deserts to wet forests to alpine regions.
The source saysit has one of the widest geographical ranges of any native Australian mammal and occurs almost anywhere from deserts to wet forests to alpine regions
The page saysShort-beaked echidnas are among the largest known deep hibernators.
The source saysShortbeaked echidnas are amongst the largest known deep hibernators
The page saysIn a 2016 study, researchers tracked ten echidnas through a planned burn in Western Australia.
The source saysOn 21 April 2015 a prescribed burn was conducted at Dryandra Woodland, southeast of Perth, Western Australia ... We studied ten echidnas for 21 to 25 days before the fireNote: '2016' is the paper's publication year; the burn was in 2015
The page saysFour of the five at the fire site survived. The one that died was resting inside a log that caught fire.
The source saysFour of five echidnas at the fire site survived the burn. ... The individual that died during the burn was resting inside a log that caught fire
The page saysWhen not in torpor, echidnas typically keep a body temperature of 28 to 35 degrees Celsius.
The source saysNormothermic echidnas typically have a T b between 28 and 35°CNote: 'normothermic' glossed as not in torpor
The page saysDuring the study, the lowest recorded was 11.6 degrees.
The source saysEchidnas entered short bouts of torpor almost every day during our study, with a minimum T b of 11.6°CNote: 'almost' in the quote modifies 'every day', not the minimum
The page saysFor weeks after the fire, the fire-affected echidnas stayed in their home areas and lowered their body temperature and activity.
The source saysFor weeks after the fire, all individuals remained in their original territories and compensated for changes in their habitat with a decrease in mean body temperature and activity.
The page saysThe authors suggest torpor helps animals survive in a fire-scorched landscape.
The source saysOur data suggest that heterothermy enables mammals to outlast the conditions during and after a fire ... Therefore, torpor facilitates survival in a fire-scorched landscape

Source
06

Rismiller & Grutzner 2019

Rismiller & Grutzner (2019). Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae). Mammalian Species.

The page saysNo. A 2019 species account notes that the short-beaked echidna is listed as Least Concern on the 2016 IUCN Red List.
The source saysall other Tachyglossus are listed as “Least Concern” in the 2016 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red ListNote: FAQ answer; the 2016 assessment is still the latest (iucn-echidna-2015 reference)
The page saysIt is considered Australia's most common native mammal because it lives across the whole continent, though its population numbers are low everywhere.
The source saysAlthough considered Australia’s most common native mammal because of its continent-wide distribution, its population numbers everywhere are low.Note: FAQ answer
The page saysThe same account lists one subspecies, the Kangaroo Island short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus multiaculeatus), as Endangered.
The source saysThe Kangaroo Island short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus multiaculeatus is listed as “Endangered”Note: FAQ answer
The page saysThat continent-wide spread is why it is considered Australia's most common native mammal, though its numbers are low everywhere.
The source saysAlthough considered Australia’s most common native mammal because of its continent-wide distribution, its population numbers everywhere are low.Note: 'is why' paraphrases the source's 'because of'

Source
07

Gregory et al. 1989

Gregory et al. (1989). Responses of electroreceptors in the snout of the echidna. The Journal of Physiology.

The page saysAn electric sense in the snout, the first known in a land animal
The source saysIt is the first known example of electroreception in a terrestrial animal.
The page saysYes. In a 1989 study, researchers recorded nerve signals from the snouts of four echidnas and identified 47 electroreceptors, each responding to a spot on the tip of the snout.
The source saysIn each of four animals anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose, afferent responses were recorded in dissected filaments of the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve ... Recordings were obtained from a total of forty-seven units identified as electroreceptors ... The receptive field for each receptor consisted of a discrete spot. Receptive fields were restricted to the tip of the snout.Note: FAQ answer; '1989' is the paper's publication year (jphysiol.1989.sp017701); '47' is 'forty-seven' in the abstract
The page saysThey called it the first known example of an electric sense in a land animal.
The source saysIt is the first known example of electroreception in a terrestrial animal.Note: FAQ answer
The page saysIn the same study, a trained echidna learned to detect an electric field as weak as 1.8 millivolts per centimetre across a trough of tap water, matching the threshold of the most sensitive receptor they measured.
The source saysan echidna was trained to choose between two identical tap water-filled troughs, one of which had a weak electric field across it. The animal learned to detect field strengths down to 1.8 mV cm-1 which corresponded to threshold for the most sensitive receptor measuredNote: FAQ answer; both experiments are in the one 1989 paper
The page saysWhat electric fields echidnas meet in the wild remained to be determined.
The source saysIt remains to be determined what kinds of sources of electric fields the animal encounters in its normal habitat.Note: FAQ answer; past tense because the source is from 1989
The page saysIn a 1989 study, researchers recorded nerve signals from the snouts of four echidnas and identified 47 electroreceptors, sensors that detect weak electric fields.
The source saysIn each of four animals anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose, afferent responses were recorded in dissected filaments of the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve ... Recordings were obtained from a total of forty-seven units identified as electroreceptors ... The receptive field for each receptor consisted of a discrete spot. Receptive fields were restricted to the tip of the snout.Note: '1989' is the paper's publication year (jphysiol.1989.sp017701); '47' is 'forty-seven' in the abstract
The page saysEach one responded to a spot on the tip of the snout.
The source saysThe receptive field for each receptor consisted of a discrete spot. Receptive fields were restricted to the tip of the snout.
The page saysIn the same study, a trained echidna learned to detect a field as weak as 1.8 millivolts per centimetre across a trough of tap water.
The source saysan echidna was trained to choose between two identical tap water-filled troughs, one of which had a weak electric field across it. The animal learned to detect field strengths down to 1.8 mV cm-1
The page saysWhat electric fields an echidna meets in the wild, the authors wrote, remained to be determined.
The source saysIt remains to be determined what kinds of sources of electric fields the animal encounters in its normal habitat.Note: past tense because the source is from 1989
The page saysAn Electric First
The source saysIt is the first known example of electroreception in a terrestrial animal.Note: blockquote lead
The page saysThe 1989 team concluded that the echidna, like the platypus, has an electric sense.
The source saysIt is concluded that the echidna, like the other Australian representative of the monotremes, the platypus, has an electric sense.
The page saysThey called it the first known example of electroreception in a land animal.
The source saysIt is the first known example of electroreception in a terrestrial animal.
The page sayscarries an electric sense in its snout
The source saysIt is concluded that the echidna, like the other Australian representative of the monotremes, the platypus, has an electric sense

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.