This spiny little creature is called a short-beaked echidna. It was photographed early one evening in Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Echidnas are monotremes, meaning they are mammals that lay eggs. The only other surviving monotreme is the platypus. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 400, f/8 at 1/60th of a second, Nikon SB-800 flash
Are those quills, like on a porcupine? And are they stiff? What about that beak? Is that like a duck’s or bird’s beak? Do thy forage in that loose earth for food? Such an unusual creature. And once again you have taught your mother a new word…….monotreme……..sounds like something in a Whitman’s sampler candy box!
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THIS LOOKS LIKE A PRK PINE TO ME, ) LOOKS LIKE HE HAS LOTS OF SPIKES ON HIM OR HER. GREAT PIC. TODAY.
Are those quills, like on a porcupine? And are they stiff? What about that beak? Is that like a duck’s or bird’s beak? Do thy forage in that loose earth for food? Such an unusual creature. And once again you have taught your mother a new word…….monotreme……..sounds like something in a Whitman’s sampler candy box!
Emerged from an egg—-He burrows in the night seeking—-A return to infancy.
How big is it? I love it. Part porcupine, part hedge hog, part platypus.
Wow! Sean you are great at capturing these little known creatures in such a lovely way! Very interesting little guy & great shot!
Cool
I would like to get your photos on my facebook page. I am a co-worker of Bonnie Mellos and would love to see your work daily. Thank you.
Nice long quills.yes a bit like a hedgehog and all the others too AND laying eggs?? Great shot Sean 🙂