Short-beaked Echidna (spiny anteater)

Description:

About 35 cms long with a short beak ( snout). This echidna was a dark brown-black colour with pale black-tipped spines. Pic #1 shows the echidna facing us, head down with spines radiating out from base of head. Both right legs are slightly visible as brown stumps. Pic # 2 shows spines arranged in a tuft at the tail end.

Habitat:

dry eucalypt forests, open grasslands where ant nests are found

Notes:

This guy was so busy looking for ants that he was unaware of me for a long time. He then quickly tucked his face in at the slightest sound of my movement. He hid his face under the small log with his spiny bottom poking out and remained that way for over 10 mins !. A lovely and cute animal !!