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Tachyglossus aculeatus
A monotreme (egg laying mammal) with large sharp spines over the top of its body. When it is attacked, the echidna will burrow into the ground or curl itself into a ball using its spines as a method of defence against the predator. Echidna's have long sharp claws on their feet, and long snout adapted for eating ants and termites. They are approximately 35-50 cms long with a 10cm long tail.
Throughout nearly all of Australia. A similar species lives in New Guinea. This specimen is captive and spotted at a wildlife park on Phillip Island.
A monotreme is an egg laying mammal. Mothers, having no nipples, do lactate and excrete milk onto their belly fur which the young (called puggles) can drink. This specimen has a large tick above its eye. This is quite common and was attended to by the park staff upon reporting the situation.
Spotted on Jan 15, 2012
Submitted on Jan 19, 2012
3 Comments
Very good shots of one of these.
Every one I've encountered in the wild has refused to show its face.
The spines are modified hairs!!! We see them fairly commonly and they can be picked up if you grab them carefully before they start digging.
My desired spotting... here.. I saw its thorns many times at remote places in Sahyadri Mountain hills but unable to see any in front of me alive.