echidna

Any of the species of small spined monotremes in the family Tachyglossidae, the four extant species of which are found in Australia and southern New Guinea.

A female monster who, along with Typhon, mothered the vast majority of the famous monsters and creatures of Greek mythology.

Horrible, hideous, and of hellish race, / Borne of the brooding of Echidna base, / Or other like infernall furies kinde […].