Tachyglossus aculeatus

4 Short-beaked Echidna at Hackett, ACT

Tachyglossus aculeatus at Hackett, ACT - 18 Jul 2017 12:00 AM
Tachyglossus aculeatus at Hackett, ACT - 18 Jul 2017 12:00 AM
Tachyglossus aculeatus at Hackett, ACT - 18 Jul 2017 12:00 AM
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Identification history

Tachyglossus aculeatus 21 Jul 2017 MichaelMulvaney
Tachyglossus aculeatus 21 Jul 2017 Qwerty

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User's notes

It appeared to be 2 males following a female. They went down a rabbit burrow.

3 comments

   21 Jul 2017
Echidna's mate in winter and trains where males follow the female is the beginning of quite a bizarre mating behaviour. Trains can last for up to 6 weeks, and can have up to ten males following a female though 3 or 4 is the usual number. While males occasionally nudge the female there is not much action until the female is ready to mate. The males then dig a trench next to her and push each other to be the one to occupy this nuptial bed.
AaronClausen wrote:
   21 Jul 2017
Very very cool. I have seen a similar "train" of them in winter at Mount Majura once as well.
roymcd wrote:
   21 Jul 2017
Hehe great shots, I am yet to observe a 'love train' :-)

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  • Breeding behaviour Breeding behaviour

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