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Echidna

Tachyglossus aculeatus

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-29.5817, 152.551

Field Notes

Description:

An Australian specialty this echidna was quite small, a young one, black with mixture of black and brown.tan spines used for defence, small eyes, beaked nose for probing ant and termite mounds for succulent ant eggs particularly and termites. Usually solitary except during mating season when they become active in seeking partners and several echidnas can be seen trailing behind each other. More active at night than during the day, echidnas also lay eggs (monotremes), but suckle the young as most mammals do.

Habitat:

Found throughout Australia but regionally variant in size, colour and habitat. This specimen found in drier woodland environment.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)

Yes, I noticed you got the head, but I had not noticed the leech. I think you have to be brave leech to try to fasten to him!
Thanks alicelongmartin. If you look closely at the back of the echidna you can also see a leach attached (or looking to attach) on the animal. Often so difficult to get good images of the face of echidnas as they so often bury themselves face first when they hear you coming - then it's a waiting game to see who gives in first.
Photographed
PublishedDecember 18, 2013

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