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Are echidnas' in danger

Updated: 10/8/2023
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11y ago

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The echidna is common throughout Australia, and its conservation status is not listed as endangered. The echidna is less affected by habitat loss than many other species, as it does not need a specialised environment, just a good supply of ants and termites. There are areas of Australia where echidnas were once common, but have not been sighted in years. The biggest threats are dogs and cars. However, the echidna still enjoys a healthy population in many less urbanised areas.

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15y ago
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8y ago

The short-beaked echidna is not endangered. These echidnas are highly adaptable to a variety of conditions, so they are one of the Australian native animals which has been least affected by European settlement and the associated problems of habitat loss. The echidna is currently listed as "common" throughout Australia and its conservation status is not listed as endangered.

It is a remarkably adaptable creature which can live wherever there are termites or ants.

The echidna is less affected by habitat loss than many other species, as it does not need a specialised environment, just a good supply of ants and termites. There are areas of Australia where echidnas were once common, but have not been sighted in years. The biggest threats are dogs and cars. However, the echidna still enjoys a healthy population in many less urbanised areas.

Natural predators to the echidna are dingoes, and goannas and snakes may prey on young echidnas, sometimes taking them from their burrows.

However - the long-beaked echidna of New Guinea, including its sub-species, is endangered. Habitat loss is the main reason why some sub-species of the long-beaked echidna are endangered. Where human settlement has expanded, the animals' natural environment has been reduced. They are still found in remote, unsettled areas of New Guinea. The other reason is hunting. Many people on the island of New Guinea still live a traditional lifestyle, and the long-beaked echidna is regarded as a delicacy, still legally hunted by the native people of the island, even though commercial hunting of the species has been banned by the Indonesian and Papua New Guinean governments.

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14y ago

The short-beaked echidna is common throughout Australia, and its conservation status is not listed as endangered. The echidna is less affected by habitat loss than many other species, as it does not need a specialised environment, just a good supply of ants and termites. There are areas of Australia where echidnas were once common, but have not been sighted in years. The biggest threats are dogs and cars. However, the echidna still enjoys a healthy population in many less urbanised areas.

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11y ago

It is unknown how many echidnas there are in Australia and on the island of New Guinea, the two places where echidnas are found. The echidna is common throughout Australia because it is very adaptable and can be found in all habitats, from sub-alpine regions to hot, semi-arid and arid desert regions. Among all Australian native mammals, it is one that has suffered least as a result of European settlement. All it needs to survive is a ready supply of ants and termites to eat. It is not endangered in Australia.

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8y ago

No, the echidna is not extinct. The short-beaked echidna of Australia has a conservation status of Common, being adaptable to a variety of conditions. The three sub-species of long-beaked echidna of the island of New Guinea is Critically endangered, however.

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12y ago

No. The echidna is not endangered anywhere in Australia. This includes Tasmania.

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14y ago

Echidnas are not usually hunted, no.

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Q: Are echidnas' in danger
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Related questions

Who are echidnas' biggest danger?

The biggest threat to echidnas occurs when they are young. Snakes will sometimes enter their burrow and eat the baby echidna. Other animals do not usually attempt to eat this spiky creature, but some echidna predators include very brave foxes and goannas. Echidnas are highly adaptable and less threatened by habitat loss than other native animals. Basically, echidnas can survive wherever there are ants.


Are echidnas harmful?

No. Echidnas are not harmful at all. They pose no danger to human beings, as long as they are left alone. Their spines are very sharp, and if one has to handle an echidna, one should always be very careful,but as they are protected native animals, they should be left alone.


How do echidnas hibernate?

Echidnas do not hibernate.


Do echidnas hop?

No. Echidnas do not hop. They walk.


Are there echidnas in Bali?

There are no echidnas in Bali. Echidnas are found only in Australia and on the island of New Guinea.


Are Australian echidnas invertebrates?

No. All echidnas are mammals, and all mammals are vertebrates. Echidnas are different from "echinoderms".


Do termites eat echidnas?

No. Echidnas eat termites.


Do echidnas live by themselves?

Yes. Echidnas are solitary animals.


How does the echidna defend itself?

Echidnas are known for their spiky spines which protect them from would-be predators. Echidnas have strong front legs and sharp claws that enable them to dig quickly into the ground to avoid danger. They "flatten out" as they dig, appearing to sink horizontally into the ground, thus ensuring their sharp spines are exposed through the process.


Where do echidnas hunt?

Echidnas do not hibernate.


When do echidnas hibernate?

Echidnas do not hibernate.


Are Echidnas scared of people?

No. Echidnas are not hostile to people or other animals.