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Project Noah Nature School
Tachyglossus aculeatus
Amazing egg laying marsupial also known as the Spiny Anteater. About 300mm (1') long including a short tail. Soft medium shade brown fur over the face and body. Body covered is short robust spines. Snout or beak elongated and free of fur with nostrils at the very end. Both fore and hind feet have strong claws. This one seen in Tasmania where the form tends to have longer fur between the spines than mainland forms.
Found walking across a grassy clearing in light woodland near Native point Nature reserve in northern Tasmania.
One of only two egg laying mammals in Australia. Usually solitary. These critters are highly specialized feeders taking ants, termites and other soil invertebrates. Claws used for digging and tearing up rotten wood looking for food. A single egg laid and the the young is carried in a pouch on the belly.
Spotted on Oct 8, 2016
Submitted on Apr 5, 2017
7 Comments
Thank you for the nomination Daniele.
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated Robert!
Thank you for the comment Polilla. These guys are very cute in a spikey kind of a way ;)
Thank you Jim, Mark and Bonnie for your comments. I agree Jim, Aussie native wildlife is awesome.
Beautiful shot, gorgeous creature!
Nice spotting mr triggs
Interesting spotting, Robert! I have been to Australia, and want to spend more time there...unique wildlife you cannot see anywhere else.