Echidna: Spiky Mammals of Australia — Reading Comprehension
Premium Resource
Grades
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Standards
- MS-LS4-D
PRINT+DIGITAL RESOURCE
This learning resource is available in interactive and printable formats. The interactive worksheet can be played online and assigned to students. The Printable PDF version can be downloaded and printed for completion by hand.
About This Reader
This science reading passage, titled "The Amazing Real Echidna: Spiky Mammals of Australia," introduces students to one of Earth's most fascinating and unique animals. Aligned with NGSS Life Science standards, particularly MS-LS4-D (Biodiversity and Humans), the passage delves into the characteristics of the Echidna, or spiny anteater. It highlights its classification as a monotreme, an incredibly rare type of mammal that lays eggs, making it truly special. The text describes its distinctive physical adaptations, such as its protective spines and its long, sticky tongue used for its insectivore diet of ants and termites. Students will learn about its habitat in Australia and its defense mechanism of curling into a spiky ball. This resource is excellent for fostering reading comprehension, expanding vocabulary related to animal biology and ecosystems, and appreciating the incredible diversity of life on our planet, encouraging awareness of unique wildlife.
Perfect For:
👩🏫 Teachers
- • Reading comprehension practice
- • Auto-graded assessments
- • Literacy skill development
👨👩👧👦 Parents
- • Reading practice at home
- • Comprehension improvement
- • Educational reading time
🏠 Homeschoolers
- • Reading curriculum support
- • Independent reading practice
- • Progress monitoring
Reading Features:
📖
Reading Passage
Engaging fiction or nonfiction text
❓
Comprehension Quiz
Auto-graded questions
📊
Instant Feedback
Immediate results and scoring
📄
Printable Version
Download for offline reading
🔊
Read Aloud
Voice-over with word highlighting
