Hi trusted Kemo Sabe's,
                                I thought I would share these happy snaps of a visitor that showed up at our place to eat some ants. For our Northern Hemisphere Compatriots these are called Echidna or Spiny Ant Eaters, they are also commonly refered to as Porcupines (which is incorrect) but accecpted in Oz. He was not bothered by me at all and continued to slurp up his fill of ants. These little fellows will roll into a tight ball protecting there vunerable areas (head & stomach) if they feel like their in danger or threatened.
LK I know you love nature & hope you enjoy these piccys.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee181/hughesmeister/57eaff8e.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee181/hughesmeister/1c2bab8c.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee181/hughesmeister/0212bdb9.jpg

All the best
Skip

Very nice presentation Skip, thanks for sharing.  

There are times in my life (like ants nest right in the middle of the veggies), when I would have loved to have an Echidna around.  

As it is here, I have planted catnip and when I do things up for the next year, I take this year's catnip to edges of the garden.  By times the feline neighbors have disputed the rights to be called "LK's Chief Pest Control Officer", all because of the catnip.

:-/

No problems LK I'm pleased you enjoyed the pictures.
If you are interested have a read of this site.
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Echidnas

I really like these critters they are so unusual in that they are mammals yet lay eggs and their babies are called "Puggles"

All the best Skip

They have beady little eyes when you get up close to them.

http://www.aussiecampovencook.com/Wildlife/ECH2.JPG

Porcupines, used to be on the human menu.  I've read several accounts from pioneering and trapping years.  Actually, I think there were those I knew in Nova Scotia 25 years ago who claimed to have eaten them.  

Thus, has the echidna ever been on the human menu?

8-)

Too right they were LK. The Australian Aboriginals were very fond of these (they still are in fact)and as a youngster I used to help the Aborigines look for them.
After they dipatched the animal they were duncked in boiling water. The quills were easy to remove then just like plucking a chicken.
I personally have not eaten one but old" Pop Yorken" told me they were beautiful tucker and tasted like (wait for this) Pork.
If I ate them I reckon I would have needed a bit of Antacid ;D ;D ;D ;D

All the best
Skip

That's a top happy snap Derek! Did you take that?
Were you that close or did you have good zoom on the camera.
Really nice.

Regards Skip

I remember being told that porcupine meat is very tender meat, but you want to eat little servings.  


Just like anything new to your system, for sure.

;)

skiproosel wrote on Feb 24^th, 2008 at 8:55am:

That's a top happy snap Derek! Did you take that? Were you that close or did you have good zoom on the camera. Really nice. Regards Skip

I was about three feet away with a zoom.  That was up on the Snowy Mountains Plateau.


Derek

Sadly, those endearing little critters are not very welcome along the dingo barrier fence.

In their wanderings (I dont think they are very territorial?) will come up to the fence thinking (I suppose) this wasn't here last time, shoves his shoulder under the netting, gets a toe hold on terra firma and a nice little gap appears at the bottom of the fence.

Very handy for a dingo wanting to broaden its horizon.

I believe the indigenous folk still prize them as "top tucker"
mikel
ps. Great photo's.