Echidna ecology in the arid zone

Synopsis

The distribution and number of echidnas in the arid zone is not well reported in the literature. The project: “Echidna Ecology in the Arid Zone’ will use radio telemetry to look at the movement patterns and number of echidnas in the Fowlers Gap area. Additionally, the project will look at associations, mating strategies and social interactions of echidnas.

Aims

This project aims to:

• Examine social interactions, potentially around mating season.
  
• Establish the home ranges of radio-tagged echidnas and areas of high activity.
• Develop a detailed habitat model and GIS map of preferred areas within Fowlers Gap.
• Scat analysis to look at diet to ascertain feeding preferences.

Student benefits

During this project, you’ll have the chance to:

• study a rarely observed animal
  
• work closely with a unique and iconic species
• contribute to the knowledge of echidnas in the wild
• learn telemetry of other field monitoring and survey techniques.

Supervisors: Dr Keith Leggett and Dr Jaz Lawes