Echidnas blow
snot bubbles
to stay cool
WILDLIFE
Mycena Chlorophos
Just when we thought these iconic Australian creatures couldn’t get any quirkier, it turns out they use their own mucus to beat the heat!
For a long time, we've known echidnas can’t sweat, pant, or lick – actions other animals perform to keep their bodies cool.
Yet these monotremes have impressive thermal tolerance.
How they do it has perplexed the scientific community for years.
Now, we finally know the answer...
It turns out they stay cool by blowing mucus bubbles through their beak!
Discover more
Circled Dot