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Short - beaked Echidna

Tachyglossus aculeatus

Description:

Long spines, with fur in between, that cover the echidna’s back and tail Short powerful limbs with 5 toes and strong shovel-like claws Long tubular snout with a tongue that can extend up to 17cm long Adult males have a non-venomous spur on the ankle of each hind leg. Males weigh about 6 kg; females 4.5.kg. Body length 30–45cm

Habitat:

Found in rainforest @ 1000m elevation

Notes:

Food •Eat ants and termites using a long sticky tongue that also masticates food. • Echidnas are also known to eat earthworms, beetles and moth larvae. • They occasionally drink from open water or may even lick dew from leaves. Behaviour • Solitary except in breeding season when they form echidna trains – males follow a female in single file, nose to tail. Individuals in the train may vary from day to day. (Echidnas in the Snowy Mountains don’t do this behaviour.). • Most active at twilight and in early morning. • Activity levels are affected by temperature. In colder weather in the eastern states and Tasmania, they can become active during the day. • Vulnerable to heat stress so seek refuge during the day. • Echidnas burrow quickly or curl up in ball when under threat. • Echidnas choose refuges that offer good camouflage and where they can remain perfectly still without being detected.

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8 Comments

MacChristiansen
MacChristiansen 10 years ago

Like it Leanne, Thanks

LeanneGardner
LeanneGardner 10 years ago

Fantastic! Love the forth shot Mac, he looks as if he's going 'Ta da!' Let's see you do this ;)

MacChristiansen
MacChristiansen 10 years ago

Yes Shanna, it curled up when I approached to photograph it, it was quite small.

ShannaB
ShannaB 10 years ago

Awww. so cute!! Did it curl up unprompted, or did someone attempt to handle it? We saw one the other day and it rolled up, but with its head down.

Cindyloohoo
Cindyloohoo 10 years ago

So darn cute!! :)

MacChristiansen
MacChristiansen 10 years ago

Thanks Jolly

Jolly Ibañez
Jolly Ibañez 10 years ago

Wow, beautiful!

Tiz
Tiz 10 years ago

Charming guy ;)

MacChristiansen
Spotted by
MacChristiansen

Queensland, Australia

Spotted on Sep 25, 2013
Submitted on Sep 25, 2013

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