Common Echidna

The first sighting and drawing of an Echidna was made on 9th February, 1792 by George Tobin, who had been third lieutenant on Bligh’s second voyage at Adventure Bay. “The only animals seen, were the Kangaroo, and a kind of sloth about the size of a roasting pig with a proboscis two of three inches in length.”

By July 1792 George Shaw had provided the first scientific description and included it among the giant anteaters, Myrmecophaga, of South America. Several other names were proposed and found to be invalid before Illger coined the name Tachyglossus in 1811.

Modern common names Short-beaked Echidna, Echidna, Spiny Anteater or Porcupine.

Modern binomial name Tachyglossus aculeatus

First described Shaw 1792

Distribution Australia wide (mainland).

Reference The Mammals of Australia, Strahan, 2nd edition. Page: 39-43, ill. 30-31, 39-43