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This is an Australian (short snout) Echidna.
Did you know that Australia has egg-laying mammals called monotremes. An Echidna is one such, as is the Platypus.
When I was a kid - many moons ago - we owned a black'n'tan kelpie called Darkie. We thought long and hard about our animal names in those days! Echidna would send Darkie around the twist.
You see, they roll up into a ball when under attack to protect their soft under-belly. The dumb dog would set up a racket to wake the dead, trying to roll the tightly wound ball of echidna over to get at the weakness. For his efforts, of course, he collected many a sharp quill in the nostril.
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| Today is the first of the month and Theme Day for the City Daily Photo Blog community. Click here to visit participants from around the world |
Great captures of a fascinating animal indeed.
ReplyDeleteFor the theme of animals, Australia has such unique choices.
ReplyDeleteYour monotremes are so cute, there's no other word for it.
ReplyDeleteLove it.And that second photo is a winner.
ReplyDeleteOoo he's a prickly little cutie pie Julie! We certainly have some of the most unusual creatures here in Australia.
ReplyDeleteHe's cute, in an awkward sort of way!
ReplyDeleteThe Echidna looks a lot like a Hedgehog but they are not related. Echidnas are unique to Australia and Hedgehogs are found in most parts of the world except Australia. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful creature and those feet! not to mention the spines. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots Julie.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of this amazing animal!
ReplyDeleteHe's really brown.
ReplyDeleteThe ones down here are kinda grey.
Maybe they are just dusty.
This one looks like he's had a shampoo.
And check out those fingernails on his back hands.
ReplyDelete(toenails, paws, whatever)
Do you know the difference between a Volvo and an Echindna....... ;-)
ReplyDeleteFabulous pic as always Julie!
Sunshine Coast Daily Photo - Australia
I love the shot of the echidna climbing the step. What a determined little creature. And, yes, I have to say it, cute.
ReplyDeleteK
I think echidnas are adorable looking creatures. And well adapted to be cute and defensive!
ReplyDeleteI've never even heard of one before! Love this little guy!
ReplyDeleteHe looks so adorable, but sounds like he can be dangerous with those quills.
ReplyDeleteJust Beautiful Julie!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, where did you take them? Saw my first, and only, echidna on Kangaroo Island last year and my photos are all blurred because it scurried away as soon as it saw us.
ReplyDeleteEchidnas? Well, you have added to my animal education, Julie. He does look adorable but the quills would be a real threat.
ReplyDeleteAmazing animal!
Bises,
Genie
Perfect photo for theme day. So uniquely Australian and such an intriguing little creature.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite animals..they are so funny to see them walking along.
ReplyDeleteHe is so cute climbing the stairs. We had a German Shepherd which had the same experience but we had a posh name for our dog. Richard von Wagner but we called him Ricky for short.
ReplyDelete...aren't they just he greatest; a fantastic photo opportunity. Got to love those rear claws/nails.
ReplyDeleteHe is a beauty, a strange creature, I hope he wasn't lost in Paddo.
ReplyDeleteTo all those interested in where I photographed this little wonder.
ReplyDeleteIt was in Victoria in mmm ... 2010 I think. A friend and I trawled all over Fort Nepean which is on the eastern head of Port Phillip Bay (?). We had just finished the gun emplacements and were winding our way down a heavily stepped walkway when this little fellow stepped onto my stage. We stepped (carefully) backwards up the path, and he just kept on coming. Very comical. But he was looking for a way through the undergrowth which did not appear for him until he reached the top. The lead photo was the last I took. He did not appear to hear us. He did not appear to smell us. He did not appear to see us. The whole thing took maybe 7 minutes. We were spell bound, albeit with a finger on the button!
bravo! a very fine theme day entry.
ReplyDeleteSuch a curious creature,never seen one before.Love your photos!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty. The ones I have caught are in a hurry and they move awfully fast for such stubby little creatures. I wondered about those spiky quills ... whether they are really sharp or not.
ReplyDeleteHe is cute.... in a way:)
ReplyDeleteNice images!
That's a very cute creature! Nice shots:)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this animal although I have never seen one in person. I think this and the duck-billed platypus are some of the most amazing creatures on Earth.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your comment:
It doesn't rain 'properly' in Portugal since the big storms in November. In about one month winter will be over and I really hope the drought will not affect us as much as the economic situation does... Outrageous austerity measures have broken all the rules and even so, I'm sure we will need a second bailout although politicians deny it but, of course, they are lying, as usual!