Nature Echidna looking for ants

Echidna looking for ants · **6 Likes**

Echidna looking for ants by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

This Echidna or Spiny Anteater has discovered a good supply of ants building their nests next to the walls in the Australian National Botanic Gardens. The Echidna is a monotreme - one of the most ancient species of furry animal still alive today. Along with the Platypus, they are the only furry animals which lay eggs.

**Tonytee** · 03-03-2019, 04:56 AM

Very nice detail in the face and snout. The colors here are really amazing. Well done sir.

TT

RobG · 03-03-2019, 06:08 AM

Originally posted by Tonytee

Very nice detail in the face and snout. The colors here are really amazing. Well done sir.

Thanks! I just wish his eye wasn't droopy at that moment.

reh321 · 03-04-2019, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by RobG

Thanks! I just wish his eye wasn't droopy at that moment.

It's a nice photo anyway. We older guys sometimes droop.

RobG · 03-04-2019, 08:05 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by reh321

It's a nice photo anyway. We older guys sometimes droop.

Hopefully I'll see the same Echidna another time - this is the second time I've found it digging ants out from behind the walls at the Botanic Gardens. I would have got more photos except another person went much too close in order to get a photo with a phone, and frightened it away.

**eaglem** · 03-04-2019, 09:53 PM - **1 Like**

Very nicely captured.

**mroeder75** · 03-09-2019, 11:37 PM

This is a great photo. It is a unique animal. I should probably get my camera out tonight an photograph the opossum that took shelter in our doghouse tonight, as you probably don't see opposums, which are probably filling much the same role in our ecology as the Echidna serves in yours.

RobG · 03-10-2019, 12:25 AM

Originally posted by eaglem

Very nicely captured.

Thank you!

Originally posted by mroeder75

This is a great photo. It is a unique animal. I should probably get my camera out tonight an photograph the opossum that took shelter in our doghouse tonight, as you probably don't see opposums, which are probably filling much the same role in our ecology as the Echidna serves in yours.

Wow, really? Do Opossums eat ants and termites? Our possums (only distantly related to the North American Opossum) are specialists or omnivores, mostly living in trees. The most ubiquitous possum is the Brushtail. These are Mountain Brushtails. An example of a specialist possum is the Yellow-bellied Glider, which mostly live on Eucalyptus sap and flower nectar.

Mountain Brushtail Possums by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

**mroeder75** · 03-10-2019, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by RobG

Thank you!

Wow, really? Do Opossums eat ants and termites? Our possums (only distantly related to the North American Opossum) are specialists or omnivores, mostly living in trees. The most ubiquitous possum is the Brushtail. These are Mountain Brushtails. An example of a specialist possum is the Yellow-bellied Glider, which mostly live on Eucalyptus sap and flower nectar.

Mountain Brushtail Possums by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

I believe our opossums are ominverous. I have never seen one in a tree but their are photos galore of them climbing trees. When very frightened they play dead, or just can't move.
7 Cool Things You Should Know About Opossums - DNR News Releases

**Bob Harris** · 03-10-2019, 09:27 PM

the feathers remind me of the quills of the porcupine Robb.

RobG · 03-11-2019, 02:17 AM

Originally posted by mroeder75

I believe our opossums are ominverous. I have never seen one in a tree but their are photos galore of them climbing trees. When very frightened they play dead, or just can't move.

OK, they're omnivores, so they possibly have a similar niche to the Brushtail Possum. I'm familiar with the expression "playing possum" although ironically it's not a defence mechanism used by Australian possums.

I don't think there's anything in North America which is in quite the same niche as the Echidna (since the Echidna is an ant and termite specialist), but perhaps the Armadillo is close.

---------- Post added 11-03-19 at 08:23 PM ----------

Originally posted by Bob Harris

the feathers remind me of the quills of the porcupine Robb.

They are similar in that they're both made of the same material as fingernails, but while the Porcupine quills break off, Echidna spines don't. I once lifted an Echidna using a blanket for padding to move it off a highway, and no harm was done to the animal. When threatened, the Echidna will dig into the ground to protect its head and belly while exposing the spines.

**mroeder75** · 03-11-2019, 10:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by RobG

OK, they're omnivores, so they possibly have a similar niche to the Brushtail Possum. I'm familiar with the expression "playing possum" although ironically it's not a defence mechanism used by Australian possums.

I don't think there's anything in North America which is in quite the same niche as the Echidna (since the Echidna is an ant and termite specialist), but perhaps the Armadillo is close.

---------- Post added 11-03-19 at 08:23 PM ----------

I think you are right. The armadillo may occupy a similar niche. They are expanding their range north, but have not reached Iowa, and I doubt they will during my lifetime.

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03-03-2019, 04:56 AM	#2
Tonytee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 21,468	Very nice detail in the face and snout. The colors here are really amazing. Well done sir. TT

03-03-2019, 06:08 AM	#3
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tonytee Very nice detail in the face and snout. The colors here are really amazing. Well done sir. Thanks! I just wish his eye wasn't droopy at that moment.

03-04-2019, 07:22 AM	#4
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by RobG Thanks! I just wish his eye wasn't droopy at that moment. It's a nice photo anyway. We older guys sometimes droop.

03-04-2019, 08:05 PM - 1 Like	#5
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891 Original Poster	Originally posted by reh321 It's a nice photo anyway. We older guys sometimes droop. Hopefully I'll see the same Echidna another time - this is the second time I've found it digging ants out from behind the walls at the Botanic Gardens. I would have got more photos except another person went much too close in order to get a photo with a phone, and frightened it away.

03-04-2019, 09:53 PM - 1 Like	#6
eaglem Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 43,148	Very nicely captured.

03-09-2019, 11:37 PM	#7
mroeder75 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,597	This is a great photo. It is a unique animal. I should probably get my camera out tonight an photograph the opossum that took shelter in our doghouse tonight, as you probably don't see opposums, which are probably filling much the same role in our ecology as the Echidna serves in yours.

03-10-2019, 12:25 AM	#8
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891 Original Poster	Originally posted by eaglem Very nicely captured. Thank you! Originally posted by mroeder75 This is a great photo. It is a unique animal. I should probably get my camera out tonight an photograph the opossum that took shelter in our doghouse tonight, as you probably don't see opposums, which are probably filling much the same role in our ecology as the Echidna serves in yours. Wow, really? Do Opossums eat ants and termites? Our possums (only distantly related to the North American Opossum) are specialists or omnivores, mostly living in trees. The most ubiquitous possum is the Brushtail. These are Mountain Brushtails. An example of a specialist possum is the Yellow-bellied Glider, which mostly live on Eucalyptus sap and flower nectar. Mountain Brushtail Possums by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

03-10-2019, 08:22 PM	#9
mroeder75 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,597	Originally posted by RobG Thank you! Wow, really? Do Opossums eat ants and termites? Our possums (only distantly related to the North American Opossum) are specialists or omnivores, mostly living in trees. The most ubiquitous possum is the Brushtail. These are Mountain Brushtails. An example of a specialist possum is the Yellow-bellied Glider, which mostly live on Eucalyptus sap and flower nectar. Mountain Brushtail Possums by RobGeraghty, on Flickr I believe our opossums are ominverous. I have never seen one in a tree but their are photos galore of them climbing trees. When very frightened they play dead, or just can't move. 7 Cool Things You Should Know About Opossums - DNR News Releases

03-10-2019, 09:27 PM	#10
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477	the feathers remind me of the quills of the porcupine Robb.

03-11-2019, 02:17 AM	#11
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891 Original Poster	Originally posted by mroeder75 I believe our opossums are ominverous. I have never seen one in a tree but their are photos galore of them climbing trees. When very frightened they play dead, or just can't move. OK, they're omnivores, so they possibly have a similar niche to the Brushtail Possum. I'm familiar with the expression "playing possum" although ironically it's not a defence mechanism used by Australian possums. I don't think there's anything in North America which is in quite the same niche as the Echidna (since the Echidna is an ant and termite specialist), but perhaps the Armadillo is close. ---------- Post added 11-03-19 at 08:23 PM ---------- Originally posted by Bob Harris the feathers remind me of the quills of the porcupine Robb. They are similar in that they're both made of the same material as fingernails, but while the Porcupine quills break off, Echidna spines don't. I once lifted an Echidna using a blanket for padding to move it off a highway, and no harm was done to the animal. When threatened, the Echidna will dig into the ground to protect its head and belly while exposing the spines.

03-11-2019, 10:03 PM - 1 Like	#12
mroeder75 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,597	Originally posted by RobG OK, they're omnivores, so they possibly have a similar niche to the Brushtail Possum. I'm familiar with the expression "playing possum" although ironically it's not a defence mechanism used by Australian possums. I don't think there's anything in North America which is in quite the same niche as the Echidna (since the Echidna is an ant and termite specialist), but perhaps the Armadillo is close. ---------- Post added 11-03-19 at 08:23 PM ---------- I think you are right. The armadillo may occupy a similar niche. They are expanding their range north, but have not reached Iowa, and I doubt they will during my lifetime.