The Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is a protected species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and their conservation listing in Queensland is “Least Concern”.
Short-beaked Echidna are found in a range of habitat types throughout Australia, and use their specialised snout, long and sticky tongue, and sharp claws to raid termite mounds and ant nests in search of food. Thanks to their flexible spines, they have a built-in defence mechanism and will curl into a ball when threatened.
As a mammal that lays eggs, or a monotreme, Echidnas have a very unusual life cycle. Breeding season occurs during Winter and early Spring. Courtship involves several males forming a “train” behind a receptive female and following her for weeks until mating is successful. The female then lays an egg in her rudimentary pouch which hatches after approximately 10 days. The baby, or puggle, clings to hairs in the pouch and suckles milk from specialised pores as the Echidna lacks nipples. After it develops spines at approximately 2-3 months of age, the mother leaves the puggle in a burrow until it is independent at approximately 6 months of age.
The Short-beaked Echidna’s physiology is also unique, and being a burrowing animal, they can tolerate very high levels of carbon dioxide. During cold weather or following bushfires, Echidnas can reduce their metabolic rate and enter a state of hibernation or torpor. Threats to Echidnas include habitat destruction, cars, domestic pets and feral predators.
Image credit: Debbie Phillips