Echidna

The Echidna, or more correctly, Short-beaked Echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus, (‘tachy’ = fast, ‘glossus’ = tongue, ‘aculeatus’ = spiny) is such a special animal. Because it shows traits of being both a mammal and a reptile, it was named Echidna after the creature in Greek mythology that was half woman and half snake – the mother of all monsters.

At Drouin Waste Water Treatment Plant

First and foremost, the Echidna is a marsupial mammal that lays eggs – a monotreme – and the only other monotreme is the Platypus.

After laying her single egg, the female Echidna transfers it to her pouch where it remains for about 10 days before hatching. The hatchling remains in the pouch, suckling on the mother’s milk for 2-3 months. By this time, the young ‘puggle’ has started growing its spikes and the mother transfers it to a home burrow. The mother continues to suckle the baby by visiting the burrow every few days for the next 6 months.

At Lang Lang

The Echidna’s spines are made up of modified hairs of keratin. Fur in between the spines gives the animal some insulation. In hot climates, Echidnas are known to seek water in which to bathe. They are very good swimmers.

The powerful legs and strong claws of the Echidna are adapted for digging, breaking open logs, and rolling rocks to enable it to seek out its diet of ants, termites, and beetle larvae. Using its long, sticky, and fast tongue, the animal can consume many thousands of insects in a day.

At Longwarry North

The Echidna is widespread throughout mainland Australia and Tasmania, from the alps to the coast and from the barren outback to urban parks and gardens at times. In some climates, Echidnas can hibernate for short periods.

During courtship, several males will follow a female in a ‘mating train’, sometimes for days, before mating.

Recently, in the sand dunes at Corinella, a new species was discovered – Tachyglossus arboreous J!

At Corinella

We share this planet with some amazing creatures.