Protein puzzle problem for pointy tongued echidnas

The spikey anteaters are quick to slurp up their gooey food mix, so keepers are introducing puzzle feeders to make them work a bit harder for their supper.

Kyabram Fauna Park Mammal Keeper Jessica Lyne said it’s a unique way for the echidnas to explore and receive their food.

“The puzzle feeders replicate wild conditions where the echidnas would be sticking their 18-centimetre-long tongues into termite mounds and ant nests to get their food,” Ms Lyne said.

“We can design puzzle feeders in diverse ways, so it changes things up and keeps things interesting for them.

“As keepers, it’s also interesting for us to see how the echidnas interact with something new. The way their tongues flick around is fascinating.”

The two Short-beaked echidnas who live at Kyabram Fauna Park show quite different behaviours. ‘Eccy’ is usually out exploring her environment throughout the day while ‘Norbert’ is more likely to be seen resting underneath a log.

In summer, the echidnas are more active in the cooler parts of the day in the early morning and late afternoon. During the winter months, echidnas enter a hibernation-like state known as torpor, sleeping for days or weeks.

Short-beaked echidnas can be found across most of Australia. Echidnas are an egg-laying mammal known as a monotreme. The platypus is also a monotreme.

Although echidnas are not endangered, they are at risk from dog attacks, natural disasters and motor vehicles. To avoid coming across wildlife on the road avoid driving at dawn and dusk when animals are more active.

If you come across injured or distressed wildlife needing help, contact Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response Centre at wildlifevictoria.org.au