Short-Beak Echidna

A short beak Echidna!  Echidnas, sometimes known as spiny anteaters, belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals. The four extant species, together with the platypus, are the only surviving members of that order and are the only extant mammals that lay eggs. Although their diet consists largely of ants and termites, they are no more closely related to the true anteaters of the Americas than to any other placental mammal. They live in Australia and New Guinea. The echidnas are named after a monster in ancient Greek mythology (Thanks, Wikipedia). My concept/concentration was about endangered, extinct, and unusual animals. What is unique about this drawing is that I used a 12 graphite pencil box set to get 6 shades. As you can see I used hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling in this piece. I also used the eraser to create the fur on its back.