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Tachyglossus aculeatus
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
Found in rainforest @ 1000m elevation
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.
8 Comments
Like it Leanne, Thanks
Fantastic! Love the forth shot Mac, he looks as if he's going 'Ta da!' Let's see you do this ;)
Yes Shanna, it curled up when I approached to photograph it, it was quite small.
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.
So darn cute!! :)
Thanks Jolly
Wow, beautiful!
Charming guy ;)