Spiny Australian Mammal (7) - Crossword Clue
Answer: ECHIDNA
The crossword clue "Spiny Australian Mammal (7)" typically refers to ECHIDNA, a seven-letter word identifying one of the world's most unique mammals found in Australia. This zoological clue demonstrates how crossword constructors use distinctive animal characteristics to create educational puzzles, requiring solvers to know about the echidna's remarkable spiny appearance and its exclusive Australian habitat where it thrives as a monotreme mammal.
Understanding the Echidna
The spiny Australian mammal known as the echidna possesses several distinctive features that make it instantly recognizable:
- Spiny exterior: Dense covering of sharp spines mixed with coarse hair
- Elongated snout: Specialized beak-like structure for feeding
- Powerful claws: Strong digging appendages for foraging and burrowing
- Compact body: Rounded, barrel-shaped torso adapted for ground dwelling
- Distinctive gait: Unique rolling walk due to short legs and body structure
Alternative Answers and Considerations
While ECHIDNA is the definitive answer for "Spiny Australian Mammal (7)", other seven-letter possibilities might theoretically include:
- WOMBAT - Six letters, too short and not particularly spiny
- WALLABY - Seven letters but not characterized by spines
- POSSUM - Six letters, arboreal and not spiny
- DINGO - Five letters, not spiny and technically introduced species
Related Crossword Clues and Answers
Similar Australian Animal Clues
- "Pouched Australian mammal" → KANGAROO
- "Australian bear-like marsupial" → KOALA
- "Burrowing Australian mammal" → WOMBAT
- "Australian hopping mammal" → WALLABY
Spiny Animal Clues
- "Spiny African mammal" → HEDGEHOG
- "Large spiny rodent" → PORCUPINE
- "Spiny sea creature" → URCHIN
- "Desert spiny plant" → CACTUS
Monotreme-Related Clues
- "Egg-laying mammal" → PLATYPUS
- "Duck-billed mammal" → PLATYPUS
- "Unique Australian swimmer" → PLATYPUS
- "Monotreme with bill" → PLATYPUS
Spiny Australian Mammal (7) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Is ECHIDNA always the answer for "Spiny Australian Mammal (7)"?
A: Yes, the echidna is the only seven-letter spiny mammal native to Australia, making ECHIDNA the definitive answer to this zoological crossword clue.
Q: What makes echidnas unique among mammals?
A: Echidnas are monotremes, meaning they're one of only two mammalian groups that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young, sharing this trait only with platypuses.
Q: Are there different types of echidnas?
A: Yes, there are short-beaked echidnas (found in Australia) and long-beaked echidnas (found in New Guinea), but crossword clues typically refer to the Australian species.
Q: How do echidnas use their spines for protection?
A: When threatened, echidnas curl into a ball with spines pointing outward, or rapidly dig into the ground leaving only spines exposed above surface.
