An egg-laying mammal (Monotreme) found throughout
Australia.Relatively common in this
region. Active at night and also during the day particularly on overcast days
in the cool months of the year. Mating period June – September.One egg laid. On hatching the juvenile is
carried in a belly pouch, later left in the burrow until weaned. Largely
solitary, with higher populations occurring in unaltered habitats. Feeds on
ants, termites and other soil invertebrates which it licks up with its long
sticky tongue.
A field Guide to the Mammals of Australia by Menkhorst & Knight
Classifications:
Mammal
Family:
Tachyglossidae
Information sources:
Photo 1 at Gunyara by Paul Horner, Photo 2 at Mt Jukes by Marlis Schoeb
