Kangaroo Island Echidna
Tachyglossus aculeatus multiaculeatus
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Endangered
Listed since: 26/06/2015
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Least Concern
Listed since: 15/06/2015
Population trend: Stable
Other names: None
Priority Species? Yes
The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derive from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.
Description
The Kangaroo Island Echidna is restricted to Kangaroo Island, South Australia with their diet consisting of a wide range of invertebrates which are extracted from soil, rotting vegetation and nests.
Threats
The main threats to the Kangaroo Island Echidna is predation by feral cats (25% of young killed yearly by cats) and habitat loss and fragmentation.
Useful links for more detailed information on this species
DCCEEW - Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
SPRAT - DCCEEW Species Profile and Threats Database