Echidna

Thanks Ingrid and dotun
Animals are supposed to have a fight or flight reaction to predators. Clearly there is a third alternative - .

Great series. Good to see!

I love the defense roled up position! I remember the first time I met one of these fellows in Australia. it was such a wonderful moment!

Thanks Leanne
Thanks gatorfellows
Thans staccyh
This is one native animal that doesn't seem to bother about being nocturnal

Nice series and story! :)

Cute :)

Gorgeous!

Thanks Daniele
Thanks mcaul

So cute! :P

Wonderful series and information Martin.

Lori. I can understand why she was so keen to escape after watching this scary video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr_cn66sY...

Jemma, they are unique indeed. A baby is called a "puggle" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXEC1Qx4c...
They are monotremes, which is not quite a marsupial in that they lay eggs and produce milk without nipples.

Sneaky. Must be that I always see them one loose dirt. They sure dig in quick. I once sat on the hill behind our house and watched a male follow a female for the better part of an hour. She kept doing these big figure 8s up and down the hillside, trying to lose him I suspect. Although I doubt she ever did.

they have a very unque way of having kids.I saw a documentary about marsupials from Australia.

Thanks ReikoS
Thanks LoriT
Thanks AliceG
I'd use a towel if I flipped it with my hands but shoe tips are quite soft enough and the echidna is tough and lets go easily.

Lori, I have picked them up many times and they dig quickly once you touch them. My method is to push my shoe underneath their belly from the side and roll them over. This must be done before they get their second grip on the soil, which is deeper than their first. On grass it rolls over easily since there is no strong anchor and it immediately curls into a ball. I can easily pick them up in two cupped hands spread over their many spines .

The only way i manage to pick them up is to watch them from a distance & wait for them to be on a hard surface or the grass, as long as it isn't too soft, then run in as quickly & quietly as i can before they manage to get to a garden or patch of soft ground. If you get a good grip fast enough you should be alright, i usually only use on towel too which makes getting a good grip easier

Just curious, I find they are nearly impossible to flip or pick up because they dig in so quickly. I've used three towels and gloves to protect my hands when I have to move one. Still got stuck. What did you use?

I love the expression of your second picture.

Thanks for all your faves, its always nice to see one of these creatures.