Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna zaglossus attenboroughi
Level of threat
This species was thought to be extinct until a a couple of years ago when scientists literally stumbled upon its burrows in the Cyclops Mountains. The Redlist calls it critically endangered as the entire population is concentrated around 100 square kilometers.
Conservation Efforts
The area where this species occurs has been declared a natural reserve and efforts are underway to protect the habitat in Berg Rara and the Foja Range. However, this maybe another case of a species going from unkown to science to being extinct very quickly.
Bet you didn't know...
- This species is named after Sir David Attenborough, the famous naturalist and TV presenter.
- An Echidna's eloganted snout and tongue are used to forage hollow logs on the forest floor for their food.
- Long-beaked Echidnas were first disovered in 1961 and then thought to have become extinct soon after!
Behavior
Sir David's echidna is so rare that little is known about it apart from half-preserved specimens. We do know that it is closer in size to its short-beaked cousin. It has five claws on its fore and hind feet. It has dense short fur.