Echidna | Wildlife

Echidnas are found throughout mainland Australia, as well as Tasmania, King, Flinders and Kangaroo Islands. They are Australia's most widespread native mammal, being found in almost all habitats, from snow covered mountains to deserts. They are common in urban areas, although their camouflage can make them surprisingly difficult to see.

The echidna is "a robust ground-dweller with strong sharp spines covering top of head, back and tail; snout tubular and naked with tiny mouth and nostrils at tip; bulbous forehead."[1] Average length - head and body - is 200-400mm, weight 2.5-7kg, life span to 40 years or more. The long beak is used for foraging through leaf litter and for breaking into dead wood, searching for food. It is approximately half the length of the head and contains both the nostrils and the mouth. The mouth is toothless, with prey either being crushed with the tip of the beak before being licked up with the long, extendable and sticky tongue, or being crushed between the tongue and the roof of the mouth. It has an excellent sense of smell.

Echidnas protect themselves by digging themselves into the ground if it is soft, and by curling into a ball if it is not. Cats and monitor lizards are thought to be the main predators of echidna young but dogs will also take adults. Little is known about the numbers of echidnas so it is not possible to have any certainty about the conservation status of these animals. However, their widespread distribution and adaptability means that their future is regarded as secure.a

 Echidna

 Echidna

 Echidna

 Echidna

Echidna