A prickly little character
Recently my wife and headed out of the city for a little country-relaxation to shed some of the city-stress we feel sometimes. We headed to Melrose in the Southern Flinders Ranges, South Australia to do some camping, book reading, music listening, hiking and cooking. (We love bush cooking, but that's another story).
One of the hikes we did every day was Mount Remarkable. It's a moderate hike of about 14 kilometers (8.7Mi) return that takes about 4 and a half to 5 hours to complete. It's steep and rocky in places, but mostly just steep. On one such hike we came across this little dude out for some ants and termites. It's a Short-Beaked Echidna, one of the cool natives animals of Australia. They are pretty shy generally but if you come across one and are quiet, still and non-threatening they may hang about like this one did.
I have a video of another one foraging around and it came so close to me it walked over my foot! They are all over the place in Australia and if you are lucky you may see one. Don't try and pick it up though, leave it to forage or walk to wherever it has to be. I can't find the video currently so you'll have to take my word for it and use your imagination. I'll see if I can find it though, its pretty cool.
Anyway, if you're travelling to Australia make sure you get out into the country rather than spending all your time in the city shopping for things you on't really need. You won't regret it. If in South Australia take the time to go to the Flinders Rangers. You can fly in or take the 5 hour drive from Adelaide.
[- Design and create your ideal life, don’t live it by default - @galenkp -]
Ps. I tried to upload this from dtube...Didn't work or maybe I did something wrong.
Nice photography
Interesting article, thanks for sharing
Whoa he’s pretty cute!! What a nice surprise to
happen upon him :)
Great pic of the spikey thing - i too have found them to be inquisitive and friendly.
You'd probably see them along the Torrens whilst fishing I guess.
It's great to see them forage around. I will have to check out the Flinders Ranges one day.
It's great to see them forage around. I will have to check out the Flinders Ranges one day.
Good wheelin' out that way man. It's my 'back yard' really.
So cool, I never see them in Sydney. They are even cuter when there babies. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, they're cute when little. Cheers for your comment.
Hey, I thought this was what we call porcupines over in the Land Up Over so I googled it. They look similar but aren't related. Hiking with the wife...can't beat that. It's one of our favorite things to do here in Montana, Big Sky Country.
I think porcupine’s are bigger? Not sure. Yeah, we hike a bit. When we have the time. Mount Remarkable is remarkable in the fact that when one gets to the top there’s no view. The scrub is so thick on the top you can’t see anything! Lucky its free! :) It’s no Montana, That’s for sure.