Tachyglossus aculeatus

Short-beaked Echidna at Majura, ACT

Tachyglossus aculeatus at Majura, ACT - 18 Sep 2023
Tachyglossus aculeatus at Majura, ACT - 18 Sep 2023
Tachyglossus aculeatus at Majura, ACT - 18 Sep 2023
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Identification history

Tachyglossus aculeatus 24 Sep 2023 CarbonAI
Tachyglossus aculeatus 24 Sep 2023 Berlge

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User's notes

I've noticed numerous fresh small digging holes over winter and early spring on Majura reserve. Conical shaped holes 5-10cm deep. Not like rabbit digs. Could they be echidnas getting grubs?

4 comments

waltraud wrote:
   24 Sep 2023
most likely...
DonFletcher wrote:
   24 Sep 2023
Pigs do a remarkable variety of marks and diggings but this is not one I have seen from pigs and pigs are not known at Ainslie Majura at the present time. Long nosed bandicoots are spreading in the ACT and they do what you describe - numerous small holes, conical shaped 5-10 cm deep but not the same as rabbit digs. Echidnas and bandicoots overlap in what they produce - either can produce some of the digs produced by the other, but only echidnas can produce wide digs, move stones more than a few cm wide, and throw dirt well to the side. I think this is robust enough to be echidna, most likely.
DonFletcher wrote:
   24 Sep 2023
So I agree with Carbon AI
waltraud wrote:
   24 Sep 2023
Bandicoots have been eliminated from Mts Majura Ainslie a long time ago, I'm afraid. There were pigs at the north slope attracted by carcass; perhaps 10years ago.

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  • 4 - 15 Abundance
  • 18 Sep 2023 06:22 AM Recorded on
  • Berlge Recorded by

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