GIFT CARDS
BUY TICKETS

Echidna

Species: Tachyglossidae aculeatus

'}}
'}}
'}}

Short-beaked Echidnas belong to a unique group of mammals called Monotremes. Apart from echidnas, the only other animal in the world that belongs to this group is the Platypus. They are egg-laying mammals with a pouch for the young to develop in after hatching.

Short-beaked Echidnas are roughly 40cm in length with a long, narrow snout (called a beak) and an even longer tongue which they flick into termite mounds and ant nests. They are covered in sharp quills that are dark brown to light brown in colour, and when threatened, they curl into a tight ball and wedge themself into the ground, exposing their quills. Short-beaked Echidnas have short, powerful legs built for quick digging, and the claws on their hind feet curve backwards to push dirt away as they dig. Males can weigh up to approximately 6kgs; females approximately 4.5kgs. Their lifespan in the wild is 10-16 years old.

Diet

Short-beaked Echidnas feed on small invertebrates such as ants, termites and larvae. They do not have any teeth, instead using their quick, long tongue to probe inside mounds and nests, sticking the invertebrates to their tongue with a sticky mucous substance, and then squashing them on the roof of their mouth before swallowing. When feeding, they also swallow a lot of mound and nest material including soil.

Social organisation and Reproduction

Short-beaked Echidnas are generally solitary, coming together only for breeding season. They have a rarely-seen breeding behaviour, in which a female will walk for days, often weeks, with males forming a “train” behind her. When the female decides she is ready to breed, whichever male is at the front of the train will be the lucky one to mate with her. Approximately 3 weeks after breeding, the female will lay a soft, rubbery egg directly into her pouch. The egg will be incubated in the pouch for 10 days, at which time it will hatch and a baby (called a “puggle”) will emerge. Echidnas do not have teats, instead secreting milk directly from mammary glands through skin patches inside the pouch, which the puggle will lap at. Once the puggle starts developing quills, the mother will dig a burrow for it to live in, and wean the puggle at 7 months of age. The young echidna will be independent enough to leave the burrow by about 12 months of age.

FIND OUT MORE
OUR ANIMAL FAMILY
ANIMAL FACTS

Echidna

GROUP NAME

Parade, herd or flock

Native To

Australia

SIZE

Males can weigh up to approximately 6kgs; females approximately 4.5kgs

BABY NAME

Puggle

Habitat

Short-beaked Echidnas can be found in almost any terrestrial environment in Australia, from wet coastal areas to deserts. It is also found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Did You Know?

The spines covering an echidna are actually tough, hollow, modified hairs. They are made from keratin, the same substance our hair and fingernails are made from.

MEET OUR

ANIMAL FAMILY

'}}

GLOSSY BLACK COCKATOO

Glossy black cockatoos are among Australia’s rarest. When a chick emerges from its tree hollow, it’s a significant moment not just for the proud parents but for the entire species

'}}

WOODSWALLOW

Extremely social birds, woodswallows are uniquely known for perching closely together as a flock. This behaviour not only strengthens social bonds but also conserves energy and retains warmth through the night.

'}}

KOALA

Koalas are not a bear, but are in fact a marsupial. Koalas have thick fur that ranges from very light to very dark grey on the head and body, with white patching on the bottom, chest and ears.

'}}

Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Devils are primarily solitary animals, living in territories that may intersect other individual’s territories. Each territory will have 3-4 dens, which can be utilised for years, especially by females with young.

'}}

Quokka

Often called “the happiest animal in the world”, Quokkas are a small marsupial related to Kangaroos

'}}

Wombat

Common Wombats are a short, robust marsupial native to south-east Australia and Tasmania

'}}

SOUTHERN HAIRY-NOSED WOMBAT

Affectionately known as ‘bulldozers of the bush’, wombats create remarkably large burrow. These underground homes offer perfect protection from extreme climates and predators, ensuring their safety year-round.

'}}

Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby

Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies live in colonies of up to 100 individuals, consisting of smaller groups with a dominant male, females and sub-dominant males.

'}}

Lorikeet

Calling all bird lovers to our walk through Lorikeet enclosure. Enjoy our stunning Lorikeets flying around and possibly even landing on you!

'}}

Cassowary

Southern Cassowaries are solitary birds, coming together only during breeding season from July-September

'}}

Kangaroo Island Kangaroo

Like other Kangaroo species, Kangaroo Island Kangaroos live in mobs consisting of a dominant male, several adult females and subordinate males, and joeys.

'}}

Dingo

Dingoes do not bark as is the case with domestic dogs. The alpha male and female will usually be the only breeding pair in the pack, with other subordinate members assisting in the rearing of pups.

'}}

EMU

Emus are the world’s second tallest bird, and third heaviest. They are a flightless species- however they do have small wings which they use to cool themselves.

'}}

Kookaburra

Laughing Kookaburras are very territorial and sedentary, usually living in small family groups which co-operate in raising young and protecting territory

'}}

Penguin

Little Penguins live in colonies that can have hundreds of members ashore at one time. From June-August, males will come ashore and renovate old burrows or dig new ones.

'}}

Echidna

Short-beaked Echidnas belong to a unique group of mammals called Monotremes. Apart from echidnas, the only other animal in the world that belongs to this group is the Platypus.

stay in touch with Your Australian wildlife parks family

Stay up-to-date and subscribe to our newsletters

Your information is only utilised by Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park. For more information see our privacy policy.

8AM – 5PM Daily, 8am - 1Pm Christmas day
217 Kildare Road, Doonside, Sydney NSW 2767 (near Blacktown) Australia

Read our Ticket Terms and Conditions of Entry for all Australian Wildlife Parks here

Featherdale Wildlife Park acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices and operations are located, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.

© 2019-2024 Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park • Privacy Policy • Disclaimer

A PART OF THE AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE PARKS FAMILY