#long-beaked echidna

[spankerella]

It knew it had to make an appearance for his birthday. 100 is a big one.

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

echidna!

Have you seen the Attenborough's long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi)?

I have now

Yes, in photos/videos

Yes, irl

I'm not sure

Voting ended onJul 25, 2025

This species is locally known as Payangko, and was thought to be extinct until November 2023. Photos thanks to video footage from the expedition led by Dr. James Kempton, from Oxford University.

[dremliik]

konvergence mezi nosatcem a paježurou

[zsl-edge-of-existence]

All echidnas are insectivores, but their diet differs depending on the genera.  The long-beaked echidnas feed on worms, grubs, and larvae, while the short-beaked echidnas subsist on ants and termites.  Short-beaked echidnas are also very quick eaters; one study showed that a single echidna can devour 200 grams of termites in only ten minutes

[zsl-edge-of-existence]

The rarest and least-understood species of echidna is Sir David’s long-beaked echidna, or Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna, named for renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough.  The species is known from a single specimen collected in 1961 on Cyclops Mountain (third image). Since then, there have been no sightings, although locals insist there are still echidnas in the area, and echidna tracks and “nose pokes” have been found by ecologists in 2007.  The animal is considered a delicacy by natives and is hunted with the use of dogs. It is believed to be the smallest species of echidna alive today. 

[vintagewildlife]

Long-beaked echidna, held by a keeper at the London Zoo By: Unknown photographer From: Explorations and Field-work of the Smithsonian Institution 1929

[vintagewildlife]

Western long-beaked echidna By: Sten Bergman From: Walker's Mammals of the World 1964

[vintagewildlife]

Western long-beaked echidna By: Sten Bergman From: Walker's Mammals of the World 1964