Watch this short-beaked echidna become distracted by a camera in its search for ants in the wild in Healesville, Australia.

Covered in fur and spines, plus equipped with a distinctive snout and a specialised tongue, this type of echidna is an expert at catching insects at great speeds.

Its strong front limbs and claws allow it to burrow quickly with great power. In doing so, this species needs to be able to survive for long periods underground. It has a high tolerance to carbon dioxide and low levels of oxygen.

Much like a hedgehog, the echidna curls up into a ball and relies on its spines to deter any predators.

The short-beaked echidna belongs to a small group of mammals that also lay eggs called monotremes. One is the duck-billed platypus and the rest are species of echidna.

On one of many local walks in Healesville, Victoria, Australia, a curious echidna is intrigued by the camera while searching for ants and comes to have a look.


CUTE! Wild Native Australian Echidna searching for ants and sniffing camera.