A study of home range, movements and shelter use in adult and juvenile echidnas, Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata: Tachyglossidae), in Western Australian wheatbelt reserves.

Abstract

Ten adult and six juvenile Tachyglossus aculeatus were radio-tracked in two Western Australian wheatbelt reserves between January and November 1988. Mean body weights were 4.5 ± 0.2 kg (SE) (adults) and 2.5 ± 0.1 kg (juveniles). A maximum adult weight of 5.9 kg was recorded. Home-range determinations were based on 1848 observations (range 31 to 261 per echidna), using a modified minimum area method. Home-range sizes were 65 ± 17 ha (SE) (adults) and 23 ± 6 ha (juveniles), and these overlapped substantially. Home-range sizes and body weights were not correlated. Adults preferred low density burrows in heath at all times of year, especially in winter months. Juveniles showed no clear shelter preferences. Some shelters were used repeatedly, often with conspecifics. Shelter reuse was inversely correlated with home range size. Periodically, some T. aculeatus left reserves for different periods, using road verges and crossing long distances of farm land. These movements could not be explained by reference to mate search because they involved adults and juveniles, and occurred at varying times, sometimes well outside their known breeding period. All juveniles dispersed between August and October, at an estimated 12 months of age.