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Short-Beaked Echidna

Tachyglossus aculeatus

Description:

Echidnas are 30 cm to 45 cm in length and weigh between 2 kg and 5 kg with Tasmanian animals being larger than their Australian mainland counterparts. The body, with the exception of the underside, face and legs, is covered with cream coloured spines. These spines, which reach 50 mm in length, are in fact modified hairs. Insulation is provided by fur between the spines which ranges in colour from honey to a dark reddish-brown and even black. The fur of the Tasmanian subspecies is thicker and longer than that of echidnas in warmer mainland areas and therefore often conceals the spines.

Habitat:

This one was spotted walking through the front yard of a house , that backs on to a bush reserve outside of launceston, dense scrub and tall eucalypt tree...being winter i am thinking looking for extra tidbits , although the lady said it waddles through alot.

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8 Comments

Caleb Steindel
Caleb Steindel 9 years ago

spectacular aussie spotting, charlie! what an amazing Creator we have!

Dilan Chathuranga
Dilan Chathuranga 9 years ago

Great spotting CharliePrice!!!Thanks for the information!!

Bhagya Herath
Bhagya Herath 9 years ago

cute.....

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 9 years ago

So right Shanna. It does look so different. What a cutie.

DanielePralong
DanielePralong 9 years ago

No worries Charlie, and thank you! Looking forward to see more from Tassie.

CharliePrice
CharliePrice 9 years ago

Ok thanks Daniele Pralong ..being new i wasn't sure , will correct that now and have a read of the FAQ page...so i do it all correctly. :)

ShannaB
ShannaB 9 years ago

Wow, that is a seriously cute echidna. It looks fluffy!! I had no idea that Tassie echidnas were different to our mainland ones. Great spotting and info. : )

DanielePralong
DanielePralong 9 years ago

Great spotting Charlie! These guys are very special. A little request: under Habitat, can you please describe the habitat where you see your spotting. This is from our FAQ page: "Habitat: Please state the actual habitat where you photographed the spotting - this information can then be used to track changes in habitat, such as those caused by human intervention or habitat destruction. Again, it is not necessary to state published habitat information here, this can be referenced in the 'reference links' box". Many tanks in advance!
http://www.projectnoah.org/faq

CharliePrice
Spotted by
CharliePrice

Tasmania, Australia

Spotted on Aug 16, 2014
Submitted on Aug 16, 2014

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