Baby echidnas are called puggles. They start life when the mother lays an egg about 22 days after mating.
According to abc science online getting an echidna egg from the cloaca to the pouch, is not an easy feat and no-one’s actually seen it happen.
I was sent an email yesterday with an image apparently of three cute baby echidnas.
I am still pondering the image.
Don’t puggles look more like this, view image ? (The image is from this website, http://www.fauna-rescue-qld.org.au/ .)
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.
rog says
September 29, 2005 at 7:35 amJennifer this image is from ABC
http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/June2000/img/puggle.jpg
http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/June2000/default.htm
rog says
September 29, 2005 at 7:38 amWoops, I should have checked your post more fully!
chris says
November 28, 2005 at 6:07 pmthe three babies sent to you as baby echidnas are in fact baby porcupines apparantly!