The family Tachyglossidae consists of the echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters, which are monotremes—egg-laying mammals—native to Australia and New Guinea. Members of this family are characterized by their spiny coats, elongated snouts, and specialized tongues used for feeding on ants, termites, and other small invertebrates. Echidnas are solitary, nocturnal or crepuscular animals with strong limbs adapted for digging. They possess a low body temperature compared to other mammals and have a unique reproductive system in which females lay a single leathery egg and incubate it in a pouch. Tachyglossidae are considered important for ecological balance due to their role in controlling insect populations.