A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Tachyglossus aculeatus
The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), is one of four living species of echidna and the only member of the genus Tachyglossus. The short-beaked echidna is covered in fur and spines, and has a distinctive snout and a specialized tongue, which it uses to catch its prey at a great speed. Like the other extant monotremes, the short-beaked echidna lays eggs; the monotremes are the only group of mammals to do so. Short-beaked echidnas are typically 30 to 45 centimetres (12 to 18 in) in length, have a 75-millimetre (3 in) snout, and weigh between 2 and 5 kilograms.The eyes are small, approximately a 9 mm (0.4 in)-diameter sphere and at the base of the wedge-shaped snout. The nostrils and the mouth are at the distal end of the snout; the mouth of the Short-beaked Echidna cannot open wider than 5 mm (0.2 in).The body of the Short-beaked Echidna is, with the exception of the underside, face and legs, covered with cream-coloured spines. The spines, which may be up to 50 mm (2 in) long, are modified hairs, mostly made of keratin.
The five subspecies of the short-beaked echidna are each found in different geographical locations. The subspecies also differ from one another in their hairiness, spine length and width, and the size of the grooming claws on their hind feet. T. a. aculeatus is found in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria.
Spotted on Oct 14, 2012
Submitted on Oct 14, 2012
5 Comments
They certainly do, yep this fella was next to impossible to pick up he was anchored into the dirt that well.
I've picked one up with a towel, in fact two towels, and those quills still poke through. The poor little critters get harassed by dogs or run over, because their defense is to hunker down and dig in.
No worries!
Great information n your notes. Thanks.
No guesses as to why i needed the towel!