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Short-beaked Echidna, the Australian ant-eater

YC Wee
on 31st January 2019
Echidna photographed at Table Mountain, Tasmania (Photo: YC Wee).

“This Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) was seen at Woolamai, Phillip Island, Australia. It was using its sensitive Pinocchio-like nose (snout) to dig the sandy ground in search of food. Oblivious to passers-by, it probed the soft sandy ground for at least 20 minutes before lumbering to another area with a little more plant cover. The video clip below was documented in 2015.

“Also known as spiny anteater, it is covered with fur and spines. It burrows into the ground using the sharp claws of its front limbs to look for insects. When threatened, it curls up into a ball, protected by its sharp spines.

Video grab.

“The echidna is an egg-laying mammal.”

Teo Lee Wei & K
Singapore
26th January 2019

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

Good Stories Movement

14th September 2024

From watching birdwatchers to watching birds

20th July 2024

Bird Society of Singapore: A credible alternative to the Nature Society’s Bird Group

11th December 2023

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

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