Australia’s spiky, shuffling, egg-laying echidna evolved in ‘extremely rare’ event, scientists say

Researchers have compared the monotreme’s traits with the Kryoryctes cadburyi, an ancient water-dwelling creature that lived in Australia more than 100m years agoGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s burrowing echidna evolved from a water-dwelling ancestor in an “extremely rare” biological event, scientists said in a new study of the peculiar egg-laying mammals.With powerful digging claws, protective spikes and highly sensitive beaks, echidnas are well suited to a life shuffling through the forest undergrowth. But a team of Australian and international scientists believe many of the echidna’s unusual traits were first developed millions of years ago when its ancestors splashed through the water.Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Continue reading...

Comments

World news

Vladimir Putin's top diplomat issues ultimatum to Donald Trump as peace deal falls apart

Family of Air Force vet ‘left to die by American Airlines crew’ says ‘traumatized’ medics pushed them to sue after seeing how he was treated

about 5 hours ago

White House rips ‘hostile and political’ move by Bezos’ Amazon to display how much costs are for tariffs

Brits brave the Benidorm blackout: Tourists celebrate as lights come back on after huge Spanish power outage left strip looking like a 'ghost town'

about 6 hours ago

Terrifying moment man runs for his life from rampaging polar bear after his desperate attempt to shoot the beast failed

Comments

Similar News

'I moved from Australia to UK - these are the things that gave me culture shock'

‘The eighth wonder of the world’: China’s terracotta warriors to march on Australia for blockbuster show

Australia election 2025 live: Dutton claims to see ‘turning of the mood’ in his favour and again accuses media of bias

Synthetic opioids linked to spate of overdose deaths found in wastewater across Australia

Australia election 2025 live: Hume declines to back Dutton’s ‘hate media’ label for ABC and Guardian

Australia Day 2012: Fireworks and lightning combine to light up Perth's skies

Why Australia Wants to Set Caps on International Students

From Emu Plains to NFL: Australia’s Jeremy Crawshaw drafted by Denver Broncos

Australia's universal healthcare is crumbling. Can it be saved?

Australia election 2025 live updates: Peter Dutton spruiks his ‘softer side’ and Anthony Albanese promises 24/7 free telehealth

Woman dies after plunging down huge 80m rocky waterfall in Australia tourist hotspot

Fifty years since the sky fell: how the Vietnam war changed Australia

China has halted rare earth exports, can Australia step up?

Gender Queer graphic novel reapproved for sale in Australia after federal court fight to ban book

Australia election 2025 live: Albanese and Dutton attend Anzac Day dawn services; Coalition slips again in polls

Wet and stormy weather forecast for Australia’s east coast over Anzac day long weekend

Australia election 2025 live: AEC breakthrough in anti-Spender pamphlet investigation; Labor reveals men’s health policy

Earthquake with epicentre near proposed nuclear site rattles eastern Australia

Married at First Sight Australia groom applies for restraining order against on-screen bride

Peter Dutton to promise Australia will boost defence spending to the 3% of GDP demanded by Trump administration

World news

Vladimir Putin's top diplomat issues ultimatum to Donald Trump as peace deal falls apart

European tourist hotspot opens first ‘residents only car park’ in clamp down on tourists

The cool new £687m skyscraper in city loved by Brits with 1 of world's highest sky pools

The incredible salaries Catholic Church cardinals can earn when chosen by the Pope

British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair passengers still stranded after power outage

Vladimir Putin's mouthpiece in terrifying new threat to NATO naming potential 'targets'

Inside 12 hours of chaos in Spain during an unprecedented power blackout

Decision looming for Trump administration on first PFAS drinking water limits

Who is Angelo Becciu? Disgraced cardinal withdraws from papal conclave

Family of Air Force vet ‘left to die by American Airlines crew’ says ‘traumatized’ medics pushed them to sue after seeing how he was treated

White House rips ‘hostile and political’ move by Bezos’ Amazon to display how much costs are for tariffs

Could over-reliance on renewable energy be to blame for Spain and Portugal blackouts?

Who Are Kneecap? Irish rap trio criticised over MP death comment and pro-Palestine messaging

Ukraine says Russia hits civilians again as Kyiv derides Putin's 3-day truce offer

Eurovision star Nemo takes action after UK court ruling on transgender women

Large fires are burning on the slopes of South Africa's famous Table Mountain

Row over children 'deported to Honduras' - as Trump officials dispute claims

Gaza aid worker detained after Israeli attack has been released

Top Israeli spymaster dramatically quits over war in huge bust up with Netanyahu

Trump supporters worried about getting 'black mark’ if they attend prestigious event

Norovirus horror as 'dominant' strain sparks mass outbreaks on cruise ships

Kremlin accuses UK of providing explosives that killed Putin's top generals in bombings

'I live in Spain – here's what we actually did when power went out'

'I moved from Australia to UK - these are the things that gave me culture shock'

Donald Trump's first 100 days in office leave UK in 'most difficult position'

Europe's incredible 'new' £357m bridge that enraged an entire country

POLL: Have you changed your opinion on Donald Trump over the past 100 days?

'Once-popular' tourist hotspots everyone has 'forgotten' about

Putin is training kidnapped children as soldiers – three things UK must now do

Pro-Russian hacking group claims responsibility for Spain and Portugal power outage

French train lovers targeted in new 'first-of-its-kind' VisitScotland campaign

Two teenagers killed train surfing after hitting signal bridge

What is the Lapu-Lapu Day celebrated in Vancouver by Filipino community?

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin’s drones kill 12-year-old girl hours after he offers three-day ceasefire

Why Putin’s latest ceasefire raises immediate suspicion

Asian American veterans share emotional stories 50 years after Vietnam war: ‘Looking like the enemy’

Trump signs executive order demanding truck drivers speak English

Inside Justin Trudeau's life and legacy: Mark Carney’s predecessor as Canadian prime minister

Spain’s power supply is almost fully restored after one of Europe’s most severe blackouts

Liberals won the election in Canada. Here's what to know and what comes next

Clashes between Druze gunmen and pro-government fighters in Syrian capital kill at least 4

What some Canadian voters had to say about their election and Donald Trump

All the theories over what caused unprecedented power outage in Spain and Portugal

Smiling tourist ziplines unaware a terror attack is unfolding beneath him

Ibiza issues warning to Brit tourists over 'balconing' as woman dies in hotel fall

Spain-Portugal power cuts: Everything we know as millions affected by outage

Warped TV presenter 'ordered violent murders of rivals to boost ratings'

Brits brave the Benidorm blackout: Tourists celebrate as lights come back on after huge Spanish power outage left strip looking like a 'ghost town'

Terrifying moment man runs for his life from rampaging polar bear after his desperate attempt to shoot the beast failed

Huge boost to Donald Trump as close ally set to win EU country's presidential election

Vladimir Putin ‘stockpiling tanks' on border of key NATO country as WW3 fears soar

Trump’s first 100 days marked with lowest approval rating of any US president in decades: Live

Karoline Leavitt brags Trump’s post helped get controversial QB drafted – 112 picks after the president spoke out

50 years after the war ended, Vietnam is still grappling with the legacy of Agent Orange

The end of the Vietnam War was also a turning point for protest songs

What caused the Spain and Portugal blackouts? Experts say incident is a warning

Kai-Ji Adam Lo: What we know about the Vancouver festival suspect after 11 killed by car driven into crowd