Why is the Long-beaked Echidna on the brink of extinction?

Answer 1

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.

A fascinating museum exhibit in Australia shows a fossilised snake eating a fossilised echidna. It would appear the echidna's spikes caught as it was being swallowed by the snake, and both creatures perished.

Man poses a threat to echidnas also, mostly through running over the creature. Echidnas are among the native animals least susceptible to habitat loss, as they can survive anywhere there is a supply of termites and ants, and this includes in suburban areas. They have absolutely no defence against cars, however.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

Man poses a threat to echidnas mostly through building roads and running over the creature.

Echidnas are among the native animals least susceptible to habitat loss, as they can survive anywhere there is a supply of termites and ants, and this includes in suburban areas. Due to their sharp spines, they are less likely than other animals to be hunted and killed by dogs. They have absolutely no defence against cars, however.

Answer 4

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.

A fascinating museum exhibit in Australia shows a fossilised snake eating a fossilised echidna. It would appear the echidna's spikes caught as it was being swallowed by the snake, and both creatures perished.

Man poses a threat to echidnas also, mostly through running over the creature. Echidnas are among the native animals least susceptible to habitat loss, as they can survive anywhere there is a supply of termites and ants, and this includes in suburban areas. They have absolutely no defence against cars, however.

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

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.

A fascinating museum exhibit in Australia shows a fossilised snake eating a fossilised echidna. It would appear the echidna's spikes caught as it was being swallowed by the snake, and both creatures perished.

Man poses a threat to echidnas also, mostly through running over the creature. Echidnas are among the native animals least susceptible to habitat loss, as they can survive anywhere there is a supply of termites and ants, and this includes in suburban areas. They have absolutely no defence against cars, however.

Answer 7

The long-beaked echidna is the species of echidna found only in New Guinea. It is endangered due to habitat loss and being hunted.