Meeting an Echinda in the Dryandra Woodland National Park, Western Australia

He wasn't waiting for anyone to take his photo -  this hurrying bundle of spines. We have just returned from a couple of nights in the Dryandra Woodland National Park, just over 2 hours from where we live in the south west of Western Australia. 

We had a quick visit during Easter, but wanted to return again for a longer stay. Unfortunately we needed to come home after only two nights due to weather reports forcasting heavy rain and thunderstorms. We were dissapointed to cut our trip short, but glad we came home early as it has been raining and blowing ever since. You can see some of our earlier trip by clicking here. - Time Out in The Dryandra bushland-April 2023

In case you didn't recognise him - this bundle of spines in the picture is an Australian echidna - Tachyyglossus Aculeatus - just one of the creatures you might be lucky to see walking in the Dryandra bushland.  

There are a number of marked loop walking tracks in Dryandra ranging from 1km to 12.5km, with varying degrees of difficulty - from level and easy slopes to steep rocky slopes. Walkers please be aware of your own capabilities, wear good walking shoes and a hat, and carry water. 

And whilst echidnas are fairly common, they blend into the surrounds so easily you need to be on the lookout. When they hear you approach they more than likely will roll up into a ball and stay still. You can't see me! 

There are two types of echidna (pronounced i-kid-na) – the Long-beaked Echidna (native to New Guinea), and the Short-beaked echidna (found in Australia). So the one in Western Australia is the short-beaked echidna.

Brisbane Kids - 17 echidna facts for kids

After taking a couple of closeup snaps I moved away and he cautiously lifted his head and then high-tailed it out of there off through the bush. I got ahead of him, and crouched down, and he almost ran straight into me, at the last minute ducking behind the tree I was crouching behind. 

You can see his long snout in this picture. Echidnas have a long sticky tongue about 15 cm long which is used for slurping up ants, worms and insect larvae. 

Here are a few fun facts from Brisbane Kids website. 

• The echidna and the Australian platypus are the only living egg-laying mammal species. They lay one egg at a time. 
• The Short-beaked Echidna is featured on the Australian 5cent piece.

• Echidnas ranges from 35-52 cm in length and can weigh up to 6 kg.
• Echidna’s spines are actually long, tough, hollow hair follicles. They also have shorter fur to keep them warm. 
• When under threat, they will roll up into a ball of radiating spines to protect themselves or dig themselves to safety.

• The echidna’s scientific name, Tachyglossus actually means ‘fast tongue.’
• Echidnas have claws for digging. 
• Echidna babies are called ‘puggles.’ (such a cute name!)
• Echidnas have been known to live for up to 50 years in captivity, and 45 years in the wild.

One other thing I learnt about them on the weekend that I hadn't really considered before.... Echidnas can walk very fast despite their short legs and they wobble as they walk - my excuse for the blury quills on my pics - that and the low light. 

And in case you were wondering: Are hedgehogs and echidnas in the same family?  In spite of echidnas' outward resemblance to hedgehogs, the two animals are not related and belong to separate mammalian orders. Britannica.com

And a few more facts from the net:  a-z-animals.com/animals/echidna/

Here are a few more facts I found on the net - 

We stayed at the Gnaala Mia campground, and did a couple of walks, as well as the 23km Darwinia Drive that has marked stopping points, from where we did a bit of bush wandering hoping to see echidna's and the elusive numbat. (unfortunately we didn't see any this time around, but think it might have been too cold) 

There are two campgrounds suitable for caravans, camper trailers and tents, and there are cottages and group facilities at the the Lions Dryandra Woodland Village.  The campgrounds have no power or water, but do have basic camp kitchens with BBQ and long drop toilets. Please take your rubbish awayt with you. Minimal cost applies.  Each site has a picnic table and camp fire ring (some wood is supplied). 

And the setting is beautiful. 

I jumped out of bed in my jarmies, a thick coat and my ugg boots to take a few pics of the fog through the eucalypt trees in the morning light, and then jumped straight back into bed to warm up again. So cold. But we had beautiful weather for bushwalking, and a campfire at night to toast marshmallows - if you sit quietly you might have a Woylie come into your camp! 

And of course there were wildflowers - Banksias mainly - but that will be for another time. 

You might light to look at some of my previous posts about Dryandra: 

Camping in the Dryandra woodland 2015

Meeting a Bilby in the Dryandra Woodland 2016

Timeout in the Dryandra woodland 2023

Dryandra woodland in the early morning light - 2012

Thank you so much for stopping by. I highly recommend a visit to Dryandra - only about 2 hours drive from Perth. 

I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 
I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
   

Mosaic Monday @ Soul & Mind & So On

Saturdays Critters - Viewing Nature with Eileen

Travel Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday 
Welcome to Nature Thursday

Skywatch Friday

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