Mammals

Echidna-egg laying mammal-500th post!

March 29, 2020 by Clare M 3 Comments

When I realised that this weekend would be my 500th post for this website I thought I could broaden the “birding” topic to “egg-laying” topic. In Australia we have two egg-laying mammals. These are the Platypus and the Echidna. We have observed a lot more Echidna in Australia than Platypus. Platypus prefer a water habitat and their location in Australia means we have rarely travelled to where they live.

During our recent visit to Victoria Echidna were often encountered. They openly fed during the daylight hours on ants. Any rustling of leaves is worth stopping for anywhere. It could be a bird, lizard or a mammal! The Echidna in the header photo was busy searching through the grass and stopped when it heard us. It briefly pulled its nose in and then carried on with its search for food. The spines are long hollow hair follicles and there is variation in the colour and density of the spines across Australia depending on the environment.

Echidna from above

Echidna

On Boxing Day, when we found the first Gang-gang Cockatoos for our 2019 bird list, we encountered an Echidna. It was not concerned about us, because we kept our distance and let it wander into the bush. Echidna use their spines as defence and roll up as tight as they can to protect themselves. I don’t have any photos of a tightly curled Echidna, because we didn’t frighten them with our presence by keeping our distance.

Echidna

Another encounter I had with an Echidna was close to where we were staying in Foster. I heard the familiar digging sound and approached slowly. The Echidna was very busy looking for food on the forest floor. The light was not ideal, but I took a few photos and enjoyed watching this amazing creature.

Rear view of Echidna including tail

Echidna

As most of you know, we do have some incredible birds in Australia as well as mammals. As if this mammal was not odd enough with its spines and being an egg-laying mammal it also has a four-headed appendage.

Once again this week I would like to wish you and your families and friends all good health. Observe what you can through your windows, catch up on reading those field guides and reach out to those that need your support.

Written by Clare M
Clare and her husband, Grant, have lived permanently in Broome, Western Australia since 1999 after living in various outback locations around Western Australia and Darwin. She has lived in the Middle East and the United States and traveled extensively in Europe. She monitors Pied Oystercatchers breeding along a 23km stretch of Broome's coastline by bicycle and on foot. She chooses not to participate in social media, but rather wander off into the bush for peace and tranquility. Thankfully she can write posts in advance and get away from technology!