The "echidnapus", bottom left, is among six monotreme species discovered at Lightning Ridge opal fields Scientists have discovered a bizarre creature dubbed the "echidnapus" which they believe roamed Australia in prehistoric times. Fossilised pieces of the animal's jaw bone were found in opal fields in northern New South Wales, alongside evidence of several other ancient and now extinct monotreme
!['Echidnapus': Australian scientists discover ancient monotreme](https://cdn-ak-scissors.b.st-hatena.com/image/square/5d95d05f705866a00963325a3388ced1ad5098ba/height=288;version=1;width=512/https%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Fnews%2F1024%2Fbranded_news%2Fe6a4%2Flive%2Faebd7b60-1bec-11ef-80aa-699d54c46324.jpg)