The Echidna..Spiny Character !
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This fellow was crossing the road and hence was a great find for me !
The Echidna (or Spiny Ant-eater) and the Platypus share the distinction of being the only two surviving monotremes, a primitive link between the reptiles and the other more advanced mammals. Like the Platypus, the Echidna lays eggs.
Echidnas are widely distributed throughout Australia.
Covered with spines and coarse hair, small eyes and the ears have no outer part, being mere vertical slits, a long, black, tubular snout with a small mouth and long narrow, sticky tongue to gather up their food. The nostrils are at the tip of the snout. It has no teeth. The Echidna has short strong feet with sharp claws. It waddles when it walks.
If disturbed, the Echidna's instant reaction is to burrow straight downwards. Once half buried, with the massive claws of its incredibly strong limbs hooked under roots or rocks, it is almost impossible to lift up or turn over.
9 responses
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JamesHarmon McQuilkin gave props (16 Nov 2011):
Beautiful find and capture--flows with such balance and grace
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je suis moi gave props (22 Nov 2011):
Good grief. I have never heard of this creature. On odd fella to be sure- not to be messed with . I am still learning . Great.
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June Rhodes gave props (26 Nov 2011):
awesome find
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Saroj Swain gave props (9 Dec 2011):
really nice!!!
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June Rhodes gave props (9 Dec 2011):
nice capture
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Kevin Sawyer gave props (21 Dec 2011):
Very cool!
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Ferlywana Widjaja gave props (22 Dec 2011):
awesome....
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John Linton gave props (30 Dec 2011):
Striking Fear into JPG's world.
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Yaz Hawkins said (4 May 2012):
I guess this little fellow is all looks but don't touch!
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