UNIQUE TO AUSTRALIA
Echidnas are one of the iconic Australian animals; they are also known as spiny anteaters.
Echidnas are monotremes, which means they are mammals who suckle their young, and they lay eggs.
The only other species which has this behavioural pattern is the platypus.
There is plenty of evidence of Echidnas digging out the ant’s nests throughout all the woodlands we currently have under our protection – along with our 4th project, the one we are currently funding.
But we see the most evidence of their presence in our Fig Tree project.
The Echidna have a strong presence in this area – and that is likely why they are the totem animal of the Anaiwan people. The resident tribe does not eat their totemic animal, so this species has an opportunity to build up numbers in one area while being hunted in another.
There are also large numbers of ants in this woodland, so the Echidna has a vital role in helping to keep the natural balance.
Echidnas are spiky, slow-moving, and native only to Australia.
The spines are actually long, tough, hollow hair follicles.
These spines are an echidna’s main line of defence when predators strike.
When under threat, they will roll up into a ball of radiating spines to protect themselves or dig themselves to safety.
As well as being covered in spines, Echidnas are also covered in shorter fur to keep them warm.
Echidnas are toothless but they more than make up for it with their long tongues which can measure up to 15 centimetres.
Their tongues work very quickly, enabling them to slurp up ants, worms, and insect larvae.
The claws on an Echidna’s hind limbs are curved backwards to help them dig, which is another way they help protect themselves from danger as they can dig their way out of trouble.
Echidnas vary in colour depending on where they live. For example Echidnas found in South Australia tend to be much darker in colour than their eastern states counterparts.
Conversely, Echidnas from south-east Queensland are a lot lighter and can almost look like they have ‘blonde highlights’ from the year-round sun!
Pure white and even red-headed echidnas have been spotted on Kangaroo Island.
(Above a baby echidna AKA a puggle.)
From mid-May to early September, male Echidnas actively seek out females to mate.
They form a line known as an ‘Echidna train’, with the female leading the ‘train’, followed by up to ten males.
A smaller, younger male is often at the rear of the line.
The male suitors follow the female for long distances until the female is ready to mate.
Baby Echidnas are called ‘puggles’. They stay within the den their mother creates for up to a year before going it alone.
You can learn more about echidnas here.
Save Our Woodlands is an environmentally conscious group of volunteers dedicated to preserving threatened birds, animals and ecosystems in the woodlands of New South Wales, Australia.
Only 15% of our woodlands remain, the rest has been cleared for agriculture.
Save Our Woodlands Inc. secures and protects woodlands in NSW and pays landholders, in perpetuity, to conserve, enhance and re-establish native woodlands on THEIR land, and to manage these woodlands, so they are maintained.
BUT we need YOUR help. Together we can bring about change. Please consider donating.
People tend to think that woodlands are “just bush,” consequently, over 85% of the native woodlands in New South Wales, Australia have been replaced by agriculture.
Donate $10 per month & help protect critical habitats. By doing so YOU will prevent further species from extinction.
Our work is only possible with your support.
