A swing echidna!!! 🦔🦔🦔

A swing echidna!!! 🦔🦔🦔

A very special moment caught on video in the North Esk River at Corra Linn, just near Launceston, thanks to Matthew Coote who says:

“Well this was a super random but amazing experience! The little fella walked right past us while we were chilling at the river! Was getting ready to dive in to save him but turns out he swims better than me!”

Echidnas are 30 cm to 45 cm in length and weigh between 2 kg and 5 kg with Tasmanian animals being larger than their Australian mainland counterparts. The echidna is shy and moves slowly and carefully, but can usually be approached by treading softly.

Echidnas feast on ants and termites and protect themselves with spines, which can reach 5cm long. Taking shelter in rotten logs, stumps, burrows, or under bushes, echidnas go into to a type of hibernation over winter. Surprisingly, echidnas are good swimmers, paddling about with only their snout and a few spines showing above the water. They have even been known to swim amongst the waves in the ocean!

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