Latrine use by the short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus.

Abstract

Radio-tracking the short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) in southern Tasmania revealed that they have latrines under windrows piled up during land clearing, under a single log lying amongst thick braken, and under a sandstone overhang. The latrine area is usually about 25 cm diameter and clear of vegetation and sticks. Some are less than 1 m apart. Scats may be visible on the surface or burried 5 - 10 cm, and contain up to 2 kg of scats.The latrine first observed in 2002 was still in use in 2005.