Echidna [Hardcover]

Peggy Rismiller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1999

The oldest surviving mammal on the planet is also one of the most intriguing. Peggy Rismiller, the world's foremost echidna expert, traces the history of this fascinating animal that is native to Australia and New Guinea. A combination of mammal, reptile, and marsupial, echidnas produce milk, but unlike mammals, they are egg-laying creatures and, like marsupials, they have a modified pouch for nurturing their young. This odd animal has two backward-facing appendages and two forward-facing ones. These and other bizarre biological traits are discussed in detail in this thorough guide. Amazing photographs of echidnas enliven Rismiller's text, which includes Aboriginal tribal legends about the animal as well as the latest information on biological research being conducted today. With fossils dating back 120 million years, the echidna lived alongside dinosaurs, but unlike the giant reptiles, it survived. Its story and biology teach a fascinating lesson about endurance, survival, and sustainability.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

One of the world's two (along with the platypus) egg-laying mammals, the echidna is a spiny inhabitant of Australia and the subject of this intriguing new book. Little is known about this species. It was not discovered that they laid eggs until 92 years after their first description by Europeans. As insect-eating, burrow-dwelling animals that are well camouflaged and built low to the ground, echidnas are difficult to study in the wild. The author has been conducting field research on these animals for 10 years and may know more about echidnas than anyone. In this book, she distills all that is known about this ancient species into a conversational account for the general reader. Descriptions of her own research give the text a personal touch, and numerous color photographs illustrate all stages of echidna life. The photos of baby echidnas (affectionately known as puggles), especially of one hatching from an egg, are worth the price of the book. Fact-filled end matter round out a very satisfying book on one of our most unusual animals. Nancy Bent

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Universe (June 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088363788X
• ISBN-13: 978-0883637883
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,669,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Echidna book, August 24, 2001

By 

Jennifer Barnes (Springfield, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Echidna (Hardcover)

Peggy Rismuller's book has everything for the echidna lover - info on the species habitat and biology, intriguing pictures and excellent real life stories. This book is great for fans of the echidna everywhere!

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best, May 19, 2011

By 

Steven Morvell "Steve Morvell Wildlife Artist" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Echidna (Hardcover)

THis is quite simply the best book available on Australia's enigma....the Echidna. Peegy and Mike have collaborated brilliantly with mind boggling field work, awesome observation and stunning photographs all being brought together in a format which is immensely readable. Many books that try to fill this biology niche drone on endlessly with obscure data which simply turns readers off. Peggy and Mike are both brilliant communicators and have given us a book which brings the very best of research over endless years in the field .....and feed it to us in a wonderfully accessable way. It is a delight for the eye....for the mind and importantly for the heart....for it is in understanding creatures that we learn to cherish them. And after all this book at its heart is an elegant and beautiful plea for Echidnas and their place in our world.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleased, November 12, 2010

By 

Pedallingpete - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Echidna (Hardcover)

I was very pleased to get a copy of this book as it is now out of print. The book was a good price and as described - in excellent condition, well packed and arrived on or before the date advised. I have these little guys on my property on Kangaroo Island and now have a great informative resource. Echidnas were around at the time of the dinosaurs. Fossils have been found dating back 120 million years. See []